Kathy Hochul is the early frontrunner to become the next governor of New York in the immediate aftermath of Andrew Cuomo's resignation, according to bookmakers.
The 62-year-old politician and lawyer has served as since 2015. She is set to make history as the first female governor of the state—America's fourth most populous—when she formally replaces Cuomo on August 24.
However, it is not yet known whether she will seek a full term in office at the 2022 election. British bookmakers Ladbrokes have Hochul priced at 10-11.
Letitia James, the New York Attorney General who headed up the investigation that found Cuomo had sexually harassed 11 women, represents Hochul's closest rival in the betting odds. She is priced at 5-2 with Ladbrokes.
James has not publicly spoken of any potential gubernatorial campaign, however a recent Democratic primary poll showed her receiving the second most support for governor, behind the then-incumbent Cuomo.
Jumaane Williams is the leading male candidate, according to the bookmaker's odds, with the public advocate priced at 6-1.
Like James, Williams has not announced that he is running for state governor, but did tell KXTV on July 29: "I haven't said I'm officially exploring a run. I'm actually focused on the general election for the public advocate's race."
Williams previously lost out to the frontrunner Hochul in the 2018 primary for the role of New York lieutenant governor.
Elsewhere, Sex And The City actor Cynthia Nixon remains in contention according to the U.K.-based bookmakers.
In 2018, Nixon ran as a progressive challenger to Cuomo for the Democratic nomination. A first-time candidate who previously worked as an advocate for public education, Nixon made headlines after branding Cuomo a "corrupt liar" while she was on the campaign trail.
Though she went on to lose the primary, garnering 34 per cent of the vote, Nixon could yet be persuaded to run again and has been tipped at 8-1 with Ladbrokes to succeed.
The list of main contenders being tipped to replace Cuomo is completed by New York state Senator Alessandra Biaggi.
A former Cuomo staffer and granddaughter of former Congressman Mario Biaggi, has been a vocal critic of Cuomo long before the sexual harassment scandal broke, having previously hit out at the workplace culture in the governor's office.
The 35-year-old, according to CNBC, has been considering a potential primary challenge for several weeks now and had been weighing up whether or not to run against Cuomo prior to his resignation. She is now a 10-1 shot with Ladbrokes.
Kirsten Gillibrand is further out in the betting, with the Senator for New York priced up as a 16-1 shot while New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli further back at 20-1.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is also an outside shot at 25-1 along with New York State Senator Terry Gipson while entrepreneur and former New York mayoral candidate Andrew Yang is priced at 33-1 with Ladbrokes.
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, meanwhile, is even further back at 50-1, along with Hillary Clinton and the outgoing governor himself, Andrew Cuomo.
