New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has just lost the support of two of the country’s most powerful Democrats – Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. The senators join a growing chorus of lawmakers seeking Cuomo’s resignation amid allegations of sexual harassment.
“Confronting and overcoming the Covid crisis requires assured and consistent leadership. We commend the courageous actions of individuals who have come forward with serious allegations of abuse and misconduct,” Schumer and Gillibrand said in a joint statement. said.
“Because of the multiple, credible sexual harassment and misconduct, it is clear that Governor Cuomo has lost the trust of his government partners and the people of New York. Governor Cuomo must resign.”
Cuomo became internationally known for his handling of the coronavirus crisis but after allegations of mismanagement and a series of allegations of sexual harassment, he finds himself isolated and quickly loses support.
Earlier Friday, the three-term governor remained defiant, denying the allegations against him and refusing to resign. “I did not do what is alleged. Period,” Cuomo said in a call with reporters. “I never harassed anyone, I never assaulted anyone, I never abused anyone.”
“I am not going to resign. I was not elected by the politicians, but elected by the people,” Cuomo added. “People know the difference between playing politics, bending to cancel culture and the truth.”
The setback comes as a majority of New York House Democrats call for Cuomo’s resignation, including Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Judge Jerry Nadler.
“The repeated accusations against the governor and the way he has reacted to them have made it impossible for him to continue ruling at this stage,” Nadler said in a statement. “Governor Cuomo has lost the trust of the people of New York. Governor Cuomo must resign.”
In a joint statement, Ocasio-Cortez and Congressman Jamaal Bowman cited the growing number of allegations against Cuomo, as well as the government’s misleading reports of the COVID-19 deaths of nursing homes, as reasons for the governor to resign.
“As members of the New York delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives, we believe these women, we believe the reporting, we believe the Attorney General, and we believe the fifty-five members of the New York State Legislature. “York, including the Senate of the State Majority Leader, which has come to the conclusion that Governor Cuomo can no longer lead effectively in the face of so many challenges,” Ocasio-Cortez and Bowman said.
Representatives Nydia Velázquez, Adriano Espaillat, Grace Meng, Mondaire Jones, Carolyn Maloney, Yvette Clarke, Antonio Delgado, Sean Patrick Maloney, Brian Higgins, Ritchie Torres, Joe Morelle and Paul Tonko also asked him to resign.
Congressman Kathleen Rice was the first member of the New York delegation to appeal to Cuomo on March 1.
New York House Speaker Carl Heastie on Thursday accusation investigated in the allegations of misconduct he faces, and more than 55 state lawmakers said in a letter Thursday that they want the governor.
“The budget, the fight against COVID-19 and the restart of the economy all depend on clear and reliable leadership,” the letter reads. “In light of the governor’s recognition of inappropriate behavior and the findings of amended data on deaths in the COVID-19 nursing home, he lost the trust of the public and the legislature, which made him ineffective in this time of most urgency. need.”
A Quinnipiac poll released earlier this month found that a majority of New Yorkers did not want Cuomo to resign, although they were not happy with his response to the sexual misconduct. According to a poll conducted on March 2-3, 55% of New York voters believe he should not retire, while 59% also say he should not be eligible for a fourth term.
The poll also found that 59% of New York voters were dissatisfied with Cuomo’s explanation and apology regarding the allegations, and 86% supported the independent investigation by the Attorney General.
Kathryn Watson contributed to this report.