Hochul in Biden's cabinet? 'Hell no,' she says, commits to reelection

Plus: The first fundraising numbers are trickling out and the A.G. has revived settlement talks with Purdue.

Good afternoon — it’s Friday and National French Fry Day.

FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2024

• Coming next Thursday: A CapCon exclusive interview with Gov. Kathy Hochul at the Hearst Tower in Manhattan. Subscribe now and get access to the full one-hour interview. 

TODAY’S CAPCON:

• ‘Hell no,’ Hochul says to joining Biden’s cabinet if offered, opting instead to stay in New York.

• Fundraising numbers for NY-17, NY-18 and NY-19.

• From the Notebook: A.G.’s office and Purdue, Foundation Aid hearings.

☀️ Tonight’s Weather: Albany: Chance of storms, low 70s. New York City: Rain, mid-70s. (National Weather Service)

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Hochul speaks in Albany Friday. (Will Waldron/Times Union)

🗣️ ‘No and hell no’: Hochul says she won’t budge on Biden and wouldn’t join his cabinet

☑️ Biden’s press conference Thursday night only reinforced her confidence in his ability to lead, she said.

There are only so many ways I can continue to tell you that Gov. Kathy HOCHUL is not giving up on President Joe BIDEN as her party’s nominee for president.

It’s now been more than two weeks since the debate between Biden and former President Donald J. TRUMP that’s led some Democrats to question the incumbent’s cognitive capacity.

Hochul has been asked about Biden’s ability to lead several times in the past two weeks and her support for him hasn’t faltered. If anything, it’s gotten stronger.

• She stuck with Biden right after the debate and even joined him in the city for an event.

• Since then, she’s become one of his strongest surrogates.

One thing we’ve learned about Hochul since she became governor is that she is more than happy to defend herself and doesn’t mind taking heat from those who disagree with her.

But another thought began to grow in my head in late May — well before the debate — when Hochul crossed the Atlantic to visit the Vatican and Ireland.

Is she interested in another position, perhaps an ambassadorship or other diplomatic role, if Biden were to offer it?