Kathleen Courtney "Kathy" Hochul (pronounced HOKE-ul; born August 27, 1958) is an American politician who is the 77th and current Lieutenant Governor of the State of New York. She served previously as U.S. Representative for New York's 26th congressional district from June 1, 2011 to January 3, 2013. She prevailed in the four-candidate special election of May 24, 2011, to fill the seat left vacant by the resignation of Republican Chris Lee, and was the first Democrat to represent the district in 40 years.

Hochul served as the County Clerk of Erie County, New York from 2007 until 2011, when she assumed her seat in Congress. Previously, she was a deputy county clerk, a member of the Hamburg town board, a practicing attorney, and a legislative aide.

Hochul was defeated for re-election to Congress by Republican former Erie County Executive Chris Collins, after being redistricted to the 27th district. She also worked as a government relations specialist with Buffalo-based M&T Bank.