Cuomo says he won’t resign as pressure mounts

Several members of NY delegation in Congress call for his resignation

Photo by Mike Groll/ Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo: Andrew M. Cuomo provides a coronavirus update during a press conference in the Red Room at the State Capitol in Albany on March 25, 2020.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo is facing increasing pressure to resign today, including from the majority of New York’s Congressional delegation who are Democrats.

The governor, however, said he won’t be resigning. He urged the public – and the politicians – to allow an investigation be complete about allegations of sexual harassment against him. Six woman have stepped forward so far to complain about inappropriate comments or contact by the governor.

“Women have a right to come forward and be heard, and I encourage that fully,” Cuomo told reporters in a conference call. “But I also want to be clear, there is still a question of the truth. I did not do what has been alleged. Period.”

Members of the State Legislature have been calling for his resignation the past week, including Andrea Stewart-Cousins, a Democrat and the leader of the State Senate.

Today, 13 of the 19 Democrats in the House went public in demanding Cuomo step down, including Brian Higgins of Buffalo.

“Over the past several weeks we have heard stories of strong and brave women,” Higgins said in a statement. “I previously issued a statement supporting ongoing, independent investigations into the early accusations, but given continuing new accounts, it is clearly time for the Governor to resign.

“This is a challenging time for New York. There is too much important work to be done. We need to move forward.”

Congressman Chris Jacobs, a Republican whose district includes Orleans and seven other counties, also issued a statement urging the governor to step down from office.

“As I’ve said from the beginning, the sexual assault and harassment allegations against Governor Cuomo are deeply troubling,” Jacobs said. “I continue to support the Attorney General’s investigation and believe it is imperative. And while I strongly believe in due process, the revelations that the Governor and his staff worked to conceal the truth and undermine his accusers are unconscionable and disqualifying.

“It is clear to me that this crisis of his own making is a distraction from the very important work that needs to be done right now to move our state forward,” Jacobs said. “The Governor is incapable of leading our state and can no longer effectively carry out the duties of his office. “The investigations must continue, and he must be held accountable for his actions, but for the good of our state, he must resign.”