Entire LI State Senate Delegation Calls For Cuomo To Resign

NEW YORK STATE — Long Island's Democratic state senators have joined with their Republican colleagues to call for the resignation of Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Cuomo has faced increasing pressure from both sides of the aisle to step down as more and more women come forward with accusations that he sexually harassed them. Those calls ramped up this week after a former aide accused the governor of reaching under her shirt and groping her in the governor's residence last year. Cuomo denied the accusation.

Republicans were quick to call for Cuomo to resign when the first allegations were made against him, and they were joined by some Democrats. But many called instead for an investigation into Cuomo's behavior, which is being led by Attorney General Letitia James' office. Democrats in the Assembly have also opened up an impeachment investigation.

But with the latest charge against him, the calls for Cuomo's resignation are increasing. Long Island's Democratic Senate delegation — which is senators Anna M. Kaplan, John Brooks, Todd Kaminsky, Kevin Thomas and James Gaughran — put out a statement today calling on the governor to step down.

"The recent allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct against the governor are beyond troubling and describe a disturbing pattern of behavior that also now includes a potentially criminal act," the statement reads. "The gravity of these claims makes it clear to us that the Governor cannot lead the state while faithfully responding to multiple investigations. This is especially true in light of the impending state budget deadline, the need to continue guiding the state through the pandemic, and the fragility of the state’s economic recovery."

Long Island's Republican senators — Anthony Palumbo, Alexis Weik, Mario Mattera and Phil Boyle — all put out statements yesterday calling for Cuomo to resign.

"In the wake of numerous sexual harassment allegations and now a deeply disturbing claim of sexual assault against Gov. Cuomo, I truly question his ability to lead our state through these difficult times," Palumbo said. "While I am a firm believer in due process and feel strongly that everyone is entitled to their day in court, these scandals undermine the governor’s ability to conduct his official duties and have irreparably damaged the public’s trust in the state’s top executive."

"At this time, I am demanding the governor voluntarily resign. He knows what he has or has not done," said Weik. "He should take the responsible path and spare New Yorkers the ordeal of lengthy investigations by resigning today. If Gov. Cuomo refuses to resign, I am requesting the Assembly move forward with impeachment proceedings.”

"It is with deep thought and reflection that I today call on Gov. Andrew Cuomo to resign from his post for the good of New York state," Mattera said. "If he refuses to resign, the Assembly and the Senate must move forward with impeachment proceedings. While I did not come to this decision lightly, the time has come for new leadership so that all elected officials can return to doing the work our residents need without the numerous distractions that have plagued our state recently."

Boyle put out a brief statement on Twitter.

If Cuomo were to step down, Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul would become the acting governor and serve out the rest of Cuomo's term.

During a press conference last week, Cuomo said he would not resign.

Multiple Congressional representatives from New York have also called on Cuomo to step down, including Long Island's Lee Zeldin and Kathleen Rice, who was the first Congressional Democrat to call for Cuomo to step down.

"With each new allegation that emerges, it becomes clearer and clearer Andrew Cuomo institutionalized widespread abuse within his administration, which silenced his many victims and enabled him to continue openly preying on those around him," Zeldin said. "Andrew Cuomo has made it clear that he will not resign, that he will not willingly take responsibility. It’s our responsibility — New York legislators, voters and the media — to hold him accountable for his harassment, bullying, threatening and abuse.”

Congressman Tom Suozzi, a Long Island Democrat, did not call for Cuomo's immediate resignation, but said he should consider it.

“The governor is entitled to due process on the many serious and disturbing allegations that have been made against him. I have confidence that the attorney general and the NYS Assembly will conduct thorough investigations," Suozzi said in a statement. "The governor knows that the state still faces multiple crises that merit the undivided attention of its chief executive. I believe the governor must seriously consider whether he can effectively continue to govern in the midst of these unfolding allegations. If he cannot effectively govern with all of the controversy surrounding him, he must put the interests of all New Yorkers first and he should resign."