Harlem State Senator Benjamin Tapped As Lt. Governor: Reports

Harlem NY

25 August, 2021

12:40 PM

Description

HARLEM, NY — New York State Senator Brian Benjamin has been tabbed as Gov. Kathy Hochul as her pick for lieutenant governor which would make the Harlem Democrat the second- highest ranking official in the state, according to multiple media reports. Benjamin, 44, is expected to be officially named to the post this week, according to The New York Times, which is among the media outlets that reported the selection of Benjamin as Hochul's choice. A spokesman for Benjamin's office did not immediately reply to an email from Patch on Wednesday seeking comment. Other reports said that he will be named to the post at an event in Harlem on Thursday. Hochul was sworn into office on Tuesday when the Western New York Democrat became New York's first female governor. She did so after Gov. Andrew Cuomo resigned following allegations of sexual harassment by the former governor. Benjamin is the senior assistant majority leader of the State Senate and was unsuccessful in his run for New York city comptroller, which he finished fourth in the Democratic primary earlier this year. Hochul had indicated in recent weeks that she wanted a New York City resident for the role and, The Times reported, had approached several people of color as possible candidates to serve as lieutenant governor, which, historically, has been more of a ceremonial role. All about the Benjamins about to be played on a statewide level! As we reimagine New York, we continue to move forward with the best. Huge congrats to my brother @NYSenBenjamin and his wonderful family on this well-deserved appointment as our new Lieutenant Governor! #HarlemWorld pic.twitter.com/maeYZwSPDT— Jamaal T. Bailey (@jamaaltbailey) August 25, 2021 Benjamin was elected to the Senate in 2017 when he filled the seat vacated by Bill Perkins, who won a seat on the City Council. Benjamin, a graduate of Brown University and Harvard, previously worked at Morgan Stanley and was a managing partner at real estate firm Genesis Companies. Benjamin's Senate district includes Harlem, East Harlem and the Upper East Side. Since taking office, Benjamin was taken on several criminal justice issues and has pushed for the closing of Riker's Island. Hochul had made it a priority to add diversity to her ticket in her campaign for governor and had narrowed her choices to Benjamin, State Sen. Jamaal Bailey, Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte, Brooklyn's Democratic Party leader and Rubén Díaz Jr., the outgoing Bronx borough president, the Times reported. On Tuesday, Bailey -widely considered a political up and comer from the Bronx, tweeted congratulations to Benjamin for being appointed to the post.