When Kathy Hochul campaigned for re-election in 2012 to the NY-27 congressional seat, which she eventually lost to Chris Collins, Hochul sought and obtained the support of the National Rifle Association.
The NRA PAC donated $7,000 to Hochul's campaign and only $1,000 to Collins.
Times have changed. In 2018, Hochul, now lieutenant governor in New York, seems to be rooting for the NRA's demise.
On Friday, using her personal Twitter account, Hochul retweeted a statement by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who was also using his personal account, celebrating New York's apparent success in driving the NRA to the brink of financial ruin. Hochul response? "good riddance!"
Asked about the tweet, Hochul released this statement:
“The NRA actively worked against my last campaign in 2014, because I’ve been a consistent supporter of common sense gun laws, including Governor Cuomo’s SAFE Act, some of the toughest gun laws in the nation. Simply put, the NRA’s extremist and unlawful actions are promoting violence and threatening the lives of people in New York and across the country. The Governor and I continue to fight for common sense gun safety measures to prevent violence and save lives.”
Campaigning in Genesee County in 2012[1], Hochul told SCOPE members, "When a bill comes up that affects your 2nd Amendment rights, I’m on your side."
Shortly after the meeting, Hochul, based on a year in Congress, received an A rating from the NRA.
"Some of you may say I have a 'D' after my name and I can't vote for you," Hochul said that night during the meeting at Calvary Baptist Church. "Well, fine, but I still represent you. I am independent and I look at each and every issue as what's best for the people of Western New York. Sometimes the Democrats are right
