The calls for NY Governor Andrew Cuomo to resign from Westchester County NY democrats began to come out minutes after NY Attorney General released her independent report. Westchester County Executive George Latimer said, “The Attorney General’s findings are clear and compelling. The Governor must resign. The patterns of sexually harassing, intimidating and inappropriate behavior towards women cannot be tolerated.”
Westchester State Senator and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said, “This report highlights unacceptable behavior by Governor Cuomo and his administration. As I said when these disturbing allegations first came to light, the Governor must resign for the good of the state. Now that the investigation is complete and the allegations have been sustained, it should be clear to everyone that he can no longer serve as Governor.”
State Senator Shelley Mayer stated, “Today’s report by the investigative team appointed by the Attorney General is a damning indictment of the conduct – and culture – of the Governor and his Executive team. Their detailed substantiation of the complaints of 11 individual women validates those who were courageous enough to tell the truth and then face a campaign of ridicule and retaliation for doing so. The Governor’s effort to denigrate them and this investigation were shameful. The report found the Governor violated both state and federal law, laws he knew full well prohibited this harassment and abusive conduct. No one should be subjected to abusive words, unwanted touching, sexualized banter and intimidating surrogates at the ready. That’s what happened here. I applaud the courageous women who spoke the truth, and the Attorney General and her team for their work which thoroughly investigated and then validated their complaints. Now the Governor must resign immediately. That’s the right thing to do. The time is now.”
State Senator Alessandra Biaggi Tweeted, “The Attorney General’s independent investigation concluded that Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed current and former staff, violating federal and state law. I am calling on him to resign. If Cuomo refuses, I am calling on @carlheastie & the Assembly to move to impeach immediately.”
Westchester Congressman Mondaire Jones said, “I think the governor’s conduct is disqualifying, and that’s why so many Democratic members of the New York congressional delegation and the state legislature called on him to resign several months ago. My heart goes out to the victims, most importantly of Governor Cuomo’s conduct, both the sexual harassment piece and, in some instances, the sexual assaults. This is something that no one should ever have to experience. I’m also thinking of my sisters and friends who work in politics and all of the people who are at risk of people like Governor Cuomo’s conduct. And that we have to stop this. We have to set a standard. I’m hopeful we can resolve this in short order at the legislative level if nothing else in terms of removing him from office.”
National Democrats from New York have also called on Cuomo to resign. “As we have said before, the reported actions of the Governor were profoundly disturbing, inappropriate and completely unacceptable,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand said in a statement. “Today’s report from the New York State Attorney General substantiated and corroborated the allegations of the brave women who came forward to share their stories — and we commend the women for doing so. No elected official is above the law. The people of New York deserve better leadership in the governor’s office. We continue to believe that the Governor should resign.”
Congressmembers Jamaal Bowman, Westchester and AOC, joined a statement from 12 house democrats which reads, “The Attorney General’s report is deeply disturbing, clear and thorough. For the good of New York State, Andrew Cuomo must resign. If he does not, the New York State Assembly must begin impeachment proceedings. We note with interest Governor Cuomo’s own May 17, 2013, statement calling on Assembly Member Vito Lopez to ‘resign, effective immediately’ when the Assembly investigation announced its findings. “‘There should be a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to sexual harassment and we must now send a clear message that this behavior is not tolerated,’” We agree.”
New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, ”The Attorney General’s report documents unacceptable workplace behavior at the highest level of state leadership. The women who came forward are courageous, and they have been heard. As I stated months ago, the Governor should step down.”
New York Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, Tweeted, “The AG’s investigation has documented repulsive & unlawful behavior by the Governor towards multiple women. I believe these brave women & admire their courage coming forward. No one is above the law. Under the New York Constitution, the Assembly will now determine the next steps. Because Lieutenant Governors stand next in the line of succession, it would not be appropriate to comment further on the process at this moment.”
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, who will preside over an impeachment trial said, “The details provided by the victims are gut-wrenching. Our hearts go out to all the individuals who have had to endure this horrible experience. The conduct by the Governor outlined in this report would indicate someone who is not fit for office.”
Assemblymember Amy Paulin, “The @NewYorkStateAG‘s report and its conclusions are clear–Governor Cuomo has broken the very law he signed by sexually harassing several women, all of whom were brave enough to come forward and tell their painful stories. I appreciate what they’ve done and stand with them. The Governor’s behavior was not only dehumanizing and degrading to these women, but it also demeans his office and position. It’s unacceptable for anyone to act as he did, let alone the Governor of our State. He needs to resign now, and if that does not happen, we in the Assembly must begin impeachment proceedings.”
So far, no elected democrat has come out supporting keeping Gov. Cuomo in office.
