Brian Benjamin (D) is out as Lt. Governor, Resigning hours after he was Indicted on Federal Bribery Charges.
"I have accepted Brian Benjamin’s resignation effective immediately. While the legal process plays out, it is clear to both of us that he cannot continue to serve as Lieutenant Governor,” Govenor Kathy Hochul (D) said Tuesday evening.
Benjamin pleaded Not Guilty, in Manhattan Federal Court, and says he’ll fight the Case.
For the second time in less than a year, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-35th District) is the temporary Lt. Governor.
Unfortunately for Hochul, the fact that Benjamin is No longer Lt. Governor, doesn’t mean he’s no longer her problem. Like it or not, he will appear on the Lt. Governor Primary Ballot in June, unless he dies, moves out of State, hard when you’re under Criminal Indictment, or gets Nominated for another State Office, who’s hiring?.
Voters will have the choice of the following Primary Candidates:
- Ana Maria Archila (D, WFP)
- Brian A. Benjamin (D)
- David Englert (D)
- Alison Esposito (R, CON)
- Michael J. Grace (R)
- Diana Reyna (D)
Hochul could name a New Lt. Governor, but it’s too late for that person to get on the Democratic Ballot.
Either way, the situation opens her up to Attacks, on her Judgment by Opponents from both Left and Right, for having selected Benjamin in the first place, and sticking by him until he was under arrest.
Hochul knows better than anyone, that a Lt. Governor can be a lot of things, but not in a Criminal Entanglement. How and why Benjamin made it through a Vetting process, is now likely to haunt her entire Campaign.
“Hochul owns this mess,” said GOP Governor front runner, Rep. Lee Zeldin.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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