Full Biography

Congresswoman Kathleen C. Hochul was elected to represent the 26th Congressional District in the May 2011 Special Election in Western New York.

In the short time since her election, Congresswoman Hochul has built a reputation as a fighter for her constituents, just as she did while Erie County Clerk.

Upon being sworn in, Congresswoman Hochul immediately kept her promise to protect and preserve Medicare by voting against a rule that would pass the Ryan budget and transform Medicare into a voucher program.

Since then, Hochul has been a true leader for Western New York, fighting to cut the costs of passports for those crossing the American-Canadian border, removing burdensome government regulations for small businesses, working to ensure oil speculators don’t drive up gas prices, and standing up for our seniors while fighting to protect Medicare and Social Security for generations to come.

Prior to her election, Kathy served as Erie County Clerk, where she was the highest ranking elected female in the county.  In this role, Kathy worked tirelessly for her constituents, not only dramatically enhancing customer service, but cutting costs as well.  She helped reduce the lines at the Auto Bureau, created a more “family-friendly” environment, and cut fees for consumers, all while creating a profit for the county.

Before her appointment to Clerk, Kathy served as Deputy County Clerk and served on the Hamburg Town Board, where she served as a member for 13 years.  While on the Town Board, Kathy focused her efforts on recruiting new businesses and keeping existing businesses in the Town of Hamburg.  She was also the first elected official to propose no salary increase for Councilmembers. 

However, Kathy’s top achievement on the Hamburg Town Board was championing on behalf of New York motorists, becoming the first elected official to fight for the removal of Thruway tolls outside of Buffalo.  Her efforts garnered her the nickname the “Stop the Tolls Pioneer” by the Buffalo News and has saved Western New Yorkers millions of dollars in tolls since 2006. 

In the past, Kathy has also served as in-house counsel to a corporation engaged in homeland security, ran her own small consulting practice in Washington, and served as legal counsel and legislative assistant to U.S. Senator Patrick Moynihan and U.S. Congressman John LaFalce respectively.

In 2006, along with her mother and aunt, Kathy helped establish the Kathleen Mary House, a transitional home for victims of domestic violence.  She currently serves on its Board of Directors.

Kathy was born and raised in Western New York and has long-standing roots in the community.

She graduated from Syracuse University with a Bachelors degree in Political Science and attained a law degree from Catholic University in Washington, DC.

Kathy has been married to her husband William for 27 years and is the mother of Bill and Caitlin.

Kathy currently serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Committee on Homeland Security, and her top priorities in Congress are helping small businesses create jobs, cutting the deficit, and protecting the promises made to our seniors.