Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand called on Andrew Cuomo to resign in light of the “multiple, credible” sexual harassment accusations against the New York governor.
“Due to the multiple, credible sexual harassment and misconduct allegations, it is clear that Governor Cuomo has lost the confidence of his governing partners and the people of New York,” the two New York senators said in a joint statement on Friday. “Governor Cuomo should resign.”
Earlier on Friday, at least 13 House Democrats from New York — including Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Jamaal Bowman and Jerry Nadler — called on the governor to resign.
Cynthia Nixon, who ran against Cuomo in the gubernatorial race two years ago, also joined in to support calls for Cuomo’s resignation on social media.
But during a Friday press conference, Cuomo lashed out at top Democrats calling for his resignation and said he would not step down, pointing to the ongoing investigations into his behavior.
“Politicians who don’t know the facts and form an opinion are reckless and dangerous,” Cuomo said. “The people should not have confidence in a politician who does not know any facts of substance. That is politics at its worst.”
At least five former aides and one unnamed current aide have come forward to accuse Cuomo of inappropriate behavior and sexual harassment.
The accusations come as Cuomo is also embroiled in a scandal regarding his administration’s handling of nursing homes in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.