New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has just lost the support of two of the country’s most powerful Democrats: Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. Senators join a growing heart of lawmakers calling for Cuomo’s resignation amid allegations of sexual harassment.
“Facing and overcoming the Covid crisis requires secure and consistent leadership. We commend the courageous actions of people who have filed serious allegations of abuse and misconduct,” Schumer and Gillibrand said in a joint statement.
“Because of the multiple and credible allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct, it is clear that Governor Cuomo has lost the trust of his governing partners and the people of New York. Governor Cuomo should resign.”
Cuomo became an international celebrity for his treatment of coronavirus crisis but after allegations of mismanagement and a series of allegations of sexual harassment, is isolated and quickly loses support.
Earlier Friday, the three-term governor continued to challenge, denying the charges against him and refusing to step down. “I didn’t do what was alleged. Period,” Cuomo said in a call to reporters. “I never harassed anyone, I never assaulted anyone, I never mistreated anyone.”
“I will not give up. I was not chosen by the politicians, I was elected by the people,” Cuomo added. “People know the difference between playing politics, leaning towards canceling culture and truth.”
The setback comes when most New York House Democrats call for Cuomo’s resignation, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and President of the Judiciary Jerry Nadler.
“The repeated allegations against the governor and the way he has responded to them have made it impossible for him to continue ruling at this time,” 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 those of the administration. misleading reports of COVID-19 deaths of nursing home residents, reasons why the governor should resign
“As members of the New York delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives, we believe these women, we believe they report, we believe the attorney general, and we believe the fifty-five members of the New York state legislature , including the State Senate The leader of the majority, which has concluded 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 demanded his resignation.
Congresswoman Kathleen Rice was the first member of the New York delegation to ask Cuomo to resign on March 1.
New York Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie authorized Thursday one removal investigation on allegations of misconduct he faces and more than 55 state lawmakers said in a letter Thursday that they wanted the governor out.
“The budget, the fight against COVID-19 and the restart of the economy depend on clear and reliable leadership,” the letter said. “In light of the governor’s admission of misconduct and the findings of the modified data on COVID-19 deaths at the nursing home, he has lost the trust of the public and the state legislature, which the it becomes ineffective at this time of greatest urgency. “
Kathryn Watson contributed to this report.