The governor has a group of followers in his corner: his family.
Former New York First Lady Matilda Cuomo gathered Monday around her son, Gov. Andrew Cuomo, as she faces increasing calls for his resignation.
“I’ve always had the utmost admiration for Andrew, and I still have him,” Matilda, 89, told the Times Union in a phone call from her Manhattan apartment. “He’s my son and I don’t like what’s going on.”
The 63-year-old governor has been embroiled in a scandal over allegations of misconduct with younger women, as well as the controversy over deaths in nursing homes by COVID-19.
Several lawmakers have called for him to step down, including members of his own party, such as state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-Yonkers), the highest-ranking Democrat to run for office. he demanded his resignation. He has promised not to leave office.
Cuomo family matriarch and widow of former government Mario Cuomo said she told her eldest son to “continue to do his job as governor. Because he’s a problem solver who manages to do things for the people.” of New York “.
The three-term governor “looks a lot like his father,” Matilda said, adding, “There aren’t many people who have the skills he has.”
One of the governor’s three sisters, Maria Cuomo Cole, also spoke to the Albany newspaper and said the whole family has “reunited” with Andrew.
“He has our 100% confidence.”
None of the women specifically addressed the allegations of sexual misconduct imposed on their loved one.
But Maria, 60, the middle son of the five Cuomo brothers, defended her brother’s record in women’s matters.
“Andrew has led the country’s most progressive agenda on issues of equality and social justice for women,” said Maria, the wife of fashion designer Kenneth Cole.
“She has empowered more women in leadership roles than any other administration in New York State.”
He said it has been “disappointing” for the powerful political family to see that the governor “would not receive the support of some elected officials who know his skills so well”.
“But that’s political, to a large extent,” he said.
His advice to his brother was, “develop thick skin, keep doing your job, be positive and don’t listen to guys.”