Hochul signs bill removing embattled former running mate from ballot

Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation modifying who can appear on New York‘s ballots, ridding herself of a political headache in the aftermath of her former lieutenant governor’s resignation amid scandal.

Hochul signed SB S8949, which “provides for the declination of a designation as a candidate or nomination for a party position under special circumstances,” into law Monday evening, just weeks after her hand-picked running mate, former Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin, resigned following his arrest.