Kathy Hochul
Liberal
Democrat
Governor
New York
Current Position: Governor of New York
Running For: Governor
Policy Positions
Economic Policy
- Against Trump tariffs on Canada; sued the federal government to block them
- For raising taxes on those making more than $500,000 per year (stated during 2011 congressional campaign)
- For congestion pricing in Manhattan (ultimately revived plan with reduced charge of $9 per vehicle)
Health Care
- For the Affordable Care Act; supported it during her 2011 congressional campaign and said she would not vote to repeal it
- Against turning Medicare into a voucher system
- For COVID-19 indoor mask mandates and vaccine/booster mandates for healthcare workers
Education
- For free tuition for specific associate degree programs at SUNY and CUNY schools
Environment
- For nuclear energy technology; signed memorandum of understanding with Ontario to advance nuclear energy
Civil Rights
- For abortion rights; described overturning of Roe v. Wade as a 'grave injustice', was endorsed by EMILY's List, and attempted to cast a tie-breaking vote in favor of the Reproductive Health Act as lieutenant governor
Immigration & Foreign Affairs
- Against free trade agreements such as NAFTA and CAFTA; argued they suppressed U.S. wages and caused job losses
- For expediting work permits for migrants to address immigration and workforce shortages
Public Safety
- For gun control; signed legislation raising the age for buying semiautomatic rifles and prohibiting handgun carry in many public spaces; evolved from earlier pro-gun position (received NRA 'A' rating and endorsement in 2012)
- Against extraditing a New York doctor to Louisiana who was indicted for mailing abortion pills
- For deploying National Guard to NYC subway and allowing judges to ban criminals from riding the subway