The governor has another group of supporters in his corner: his family.
Former New York First Lady Matilda Cuomo gathered around her son, Governor Andrew Cuomo, on Monday as he faced increasing calls for his resignation.
“I’ve always had the greatest admiration for Andrew, and I still do,” Matilda, 89, told the Times Union in a phone call from her Manhattan apartment. “He’s my son and I do not like what he’s going through.”
The 63-year-old governor is embroiled in a scandal over allegations of inappropriate behavior by younger women, as well as the controversy over deaths in nursing homes due to COVID-19.
Several lawmakers have asked him to step down, including members of his own party, such as state leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-Yonkers), the top Democrat, to ask him to resign. He promised not to retire.
The matriarch of the Cuomo family, and the widow of former governor Mario Cuomo, said she had told her eldest son ‘to continue his work as governor. Because he’s a problem solver who gets things done for New Yorkers. ‘
The three-term government “is very much like his father,” Matilda said, adding: “Not many people have the skills he has.”
One of the governor’s three sisters, Maria Cuomo Cole, also spoke to the Albany newspaper – saying the whole family had ‘gathered’ Andrew.
“He has our 100 percent confidence.”
None of the women specifically addressed the claims of unwanted sexual behavior imposed on their lover.
But Maria, 60, the middle child of the five Cuomo brothers and sisters, defended her brother’s record on women’s issues.
“Andrew has led the most progressive agenda in the country on issues of women’s equality and social justice,” said Maria, the wife of fashion designer Kenneth Cole.
“He has empowered more women in leadership roles than any other government in the state of New York.”
She said it was “disappointing” for the powerful political family to see that the governor “would not receive the support of some elected officials who know his abilities so well.”
“But it’s largely political,” she said.
Her advice to her brother was: ‘develop thick skin, keep doing your job, stay positive and do not listen to naysayers.’