Governor Kathy Hochul joined Congresswoman Grace Meng and Council Member Sandra Ung for a tour of local businesses along Bell Boulevard in Bayside Tuesday, Aug. 9. The leaders discussed issues facing the community, including opportunities for young people, fostering small businesses and how the different levels of government can work together to build more affordable housing.
Among the places they stopped at were Fresh U for shaved ice, Mochinut for mochi donuts and Shanghai You Garden for dinner.
“Small businesses are the backbone of New York’s economy and I’m working every day to make sure our local businesses are recovering and thriving,” Governor Hochul said. “It was great stopping by a few local shops and restaurants in Bayside with Congresswoman Meng and Council member Ung and I look forward to returning soon!”
“It is always great to welcome the Governor to Queens, an area she knows well and has visited many times,” Congresswoman Meng said. “I thank her for coming and listening to the concerns of entrepreneurs in our borough. Small businesses are the engine of our region’s economy. They are vital to economic growth and creating jobs and I will continue working with Governor Hochul and Councilwoman Ung to help local small businesses succeed. I look forward to seeing the Governor back in Queens soon.”
“I want to thank Governor Hochul for coming to Queens and speaking with small business owners in our community,” Council Member Ung said. “As we continue our recovery from the pandemic, it is imperative that federal, state and local governments work together to build an equitable city for all residents. Today, Governor Hochul, Congresswoman Meng and I discussed how critical it is that we support small businesses, especially the ones just starting out, and committed to working together to do so. These entrepreneurs are the heart of our communities, not only providing jobs and creating a vibrant economy, but also making delicious food for families.”
Hochul’s visit to Bayside comes as she continues to campaign for governor of the state of New York. She took office as the state’s 57th governor on Aug. 24, 2021. Prior to then, she had served as the state’s Lieutenant Governor since 2015. She became the first female governor of New York State and the first from upstate New York since the 1930s.
The general election for the New York Governor race will take place on Nov. 8, 2022. After defeating Juumane Williams and Tom Suozzi in the Democratic primary on June 28, Hochul will face off against Republican nominee Lee Zeldin. Zeldin earned his party’s nomination over Rob Astorino, Andrew Giuliani and Harry Wilson.
Hochul took office as governor after her predecessor, Andrew Cuomo, resigned from office amid multiple sexual harassment accusations.
The lieutenant governor running alongside Hochul is Antonio Delgado. Delgado had been a congress member representing upstate New York before being sworn in as the new lieutenant governor on May 25, replacing former Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin, who resigned on April 12 after getting indicted on federal bribery charges.
Zeldin’s lieutenant governor running mate is Alison Esposito. Esposito had previously worked as the NYPD Deputy Inspector.
