ALBANY – Governor Andrew Cuomo announced his resignation on Tuesday, August 10, 2021. He will remain in office for another 14 days.
The announcement comes as the state legislature was preparing an impeachment inquiry to remove Cuomo from office. “I think that given the circumstances the best way I can help now is if I step aside and let government get back to government, and therefore that is what I’ll do, because I work for you, and doing the right thing, is doing the right thing for you,” the State’s 56th governor said during the press conference.
Cuomo has been accused of sexual harassment by eleven different females, all of whom were found credible after an investigation by NYS Attorney General Letitia James. The report indicated that the 63-year-old Cuomo had violated both federal and state laws.
The resignation elevates Lieutenant Kathy Hochul to the position of NYS Governor. Hochul will be the first female governor in state history.
Hudson Valley officials reacted swiftly to the announcement. Dutchess County Comptroller Robin Lois, the only countywide elected Democrat said “He did the right thing by resigning. It is time for New York to move forward, and I look forward to that being under the leadership of our first female Governor, Kathy Hochul.”
Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro, who ran against Cuomo in 2018, responded to Cuomo’s fall from grace, telling Mid Hudson News “Many may find relief in Andrew Cuomo’s resignation. We would all do well to remember that his downfall came at a tremendous cost. His failings hurt New Yorkers, devastated families, and victimized women. The damage he caused will not be soon repaired… but repair we must.”
Molinaro also recalled the Cuomo nursing home scandal during the pandemic, adding “The legacy Andrew Cuomo leaves behind, is one of pervasive sexual misconduct, highest taxes in the nation, a $4 billion broken bridge that bears his family’s name, a deadly nursing home, and IDD home coverup, and pay-to-play scandals that have corroded State government and eroded the public’s trust.” The longtime critic of Cuomo continued, adding ” After a global pandemic, tragic betrayal, and ten years of Cuomo’s corruption we desperately need honest, skillful leaders to step up, do good and get on to healing this great state.”
NYS Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick, (D-Rockland/Westchester), commented on the resignation, saying “I am relieved that Governor Cuomo has made the right decision to serve New Yorkers by stepping aside and allowing Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul to complete the rest of his term. While there are certainly achievements that the Governor can be proud of, there’s no question that his decision to resign is in the best interests of our state at this time. “
