New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo Resigns

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has announced he is “stepping aside” from his office after a New York state investigation released last week found Cuomo “sexually harassed multiple women and violated state law.”

Cuomo has repeatedly denied the allegations, but today said he has “been too familiar with people” and apologized to the women he said he “truly offended.”

“I’m a New Yorker, born and bred. I’m a fighter and my instinct is to fight through this controversy because I truly believe it is politically motivated, I believe it is unfair and it is untruthful and I believe it demonizes behavior that is unsustainable for society,” he said.

Cuomo continued: “New York tough means New York loving, and I love New York, and I love you. I would never want to be unhelpful in any way.”

After the state report was released, President Biden, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and more than two thirds of New York state senators called on Cuomo to resign.

New York Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, 62, will become the state’s first female governor when Cuomo steps down. A Buffalo native, she was first elected lieutenant governor of New York in 2014 as Cuomo’s running mate and won reelection alongside him in 2018.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D-NY) says his resignation will take effect in 14 days:

“The best way I can help now is if I step aside and let government get back to governing, and therefore, that’s what I’ll do.” pic.twitter.com/J1pPHJ2GGb

— The Recount (@therecount) August 10, 2021