Gov. Kathy Hochul Faces Backlash After Ranking Worst for Freedom

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Gov. Kathy Hochul was ranked the worst state leader in the US for protecting constituents’ freedoms, a scathing new study found.

Hochul ranked No. 50 in the Cato’s Institute’s 2026 “Freedom in the 50 States” list, scoring an “F” and falling behind the governors from Hawaii, California, Rhode Island and Massachusetts.