Governor Kathy Hochul proudly proclaimed in press releases her support for strict gun control laws that cracked down on where people can carry firearms across New York State.
The Buffalo based Democrat supported legislation in June of 2022 that forced businesses to publicly post signs that guns were welcome in order for someone to enter, even with a legally obtained concealed carry pistol permit.
“We’re going to protect the rights of private property owners to allow them to not have to be subjected to someone walking into their workplace or a bar, restaurant with a concealed weapon,” said Hochul at the time.
The New York Governor is now even more passionate about fighting for illegal immigrants to obtain a driver’s license in the Empire State.
In November of 2018, Hochul used farmers as a reason why illegals should have licenses in New York, claiming the agricultural community prefers their workers drive legally behind the wheel.
"It is much safer for them to be licensed on the road and have insurance as they're driving, and so we're welcoming them into our larger community because many of them already have families here," stated Hochul.
While strong support for gun control and licenses for illegals appeal to the Socialist/Progressive base of the Democratic Party, Hochul was whistling a much different political tune when she was the Erie County Clerk in Buffalo and a member of Congress in a heavy Republican and rural district.
Hochul was born and raised in Hamburg, New York, a mostly blue collar suburb south of Buffalo, where she served as a Town Councilwoman from 1994 to 2007. She then served as Deputy Erie County Clerk in 2003 and was appointed Clerk in 2007 when her predecessor was plucked from county government to serve in the administration of then Governor Elliot Spitzer.
Back in 2007 when Spitzer proposed giving illegals licenses, the Hochul came out swinging against the move.
“I do not support the governor’s plan to give driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants,” she said to whooping cheers and applause. “I have a problem with that, ladies and gentlemen,” Hochul was quoted in the New York Times in a November 4th, 2007 article.
Hochul went so far as telling the Times she would process the driver’s license application of an illegal immigrant, then immediately share that person's name to the Office of Erie County Sheriff.
“Kathy Hochul is a chameleon. When she was Erie County Clerk and running for Congress, she led the fight against driver’s licenses for illegal immigrants. That was not long ago folks. Now she’s throwing out the welcome mat for illegals,” said Republican New York State Senator George Borrello.
Hochul has a definitive history of supporting gun rights when she briefly served in a Republican leaning Congressional District after winning a special election in May of 2011.
The Governor’s voting record included support of concealed carry reciprocity across the country, which would allow firearm owners with a concealed carry permit to legally have a firearm on their person in any state across America. This led to the National Rifle Association (NRA) giving Hochul an “A” rating in support of gun rights.
“She is a totally different person than when she lived in Hamburg, a complete ‘180.’ Hochul is catering to the New York City socialists to get their votes. Her only way to become Governor was to do that,” said Dan O’Connell, the Town of Hamburg Republican Chairman to the South Shore Press.
Those Hamburg Republicans want people in Long Island and across New York to know the “real” Kathy Hochul, the one who aligns more with conservative principles than progressive ones.
“She may still have her old beliefs, but she’s not showing them, that’s for sure,” concluded O’Connell.