DUNKIRK, N.Y. -- Despite early questions about a delay in endorsing Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee for president, Gov. Kathy Hochul made clear again Tuesday her support for the current vice president is complete and emphatic.
"I know about being number two. You understand the job. She's been at Joe Biden's side since he first took office and she's traveled the world and has met with countless leaders and cares about the same issues that are important to us as New Yorkers so I wanted her to know that New York state is Kamala Harris country," she said.
On Monday, the state Democratic Committee unanimously voted to pledge all of its delegates to Harris as well. New York is second only to California in total delegates and helped secure Harris the likely nomination.
"Securing the support of the New York state Democratic Party and our delegates behind her really was a good shot in the arm. It shows that she is the individual that we're galvanizing behind, that we believe she is the one that is going to be the most successful and she has the most experience," Hochul said.
The Harris campaign is currently vetting a handful of Democratic governors in swing states to be her running mate.
"The best candidate will be the one that Kamala Harris selects so there's a lot of suspense around this but I can tell you I also have a very, very strong relationship with all the governors. We meet regularly. We have a lot of communications around this process," Hochul said.
The governor said she has not yet spoken with Harris since President Joe Biden dropped out of the race despite efforts to connect. She said she told the campaign they will eventually catch up.
"I've spoken with her many, many, many times in the past. She has come to New York. She has stood with me even when I was running for election. She called me right after I became governor and as a fellow woman in politics who understands the unique challenges, we are great support for each other so I look forward to being there for her in anyway she needs me," Hochul said.
Hochul said one way she will definitely be helping Harris is by taking an active role in trying to help the party win congressional races in New York that could potentially swing the balance of power in the House of Representatives. She said she has been speaking directly with candidates and is helping the party open up field offices in battleground areas among other things.