He described himself as a lover of New York and a fighter: Now Andrew Cuomo, Democrat and Governor, has resigned from his office. Many celebrate this step. But what follows now?
The U-turn in the Andrew Cuomo case came in the middle of the flow of speech – and then it came as a surprise. First, New York’s governor had his lawyer Rita Glavin publicly dismantle the allegations of sexual harassment against him again for three quarters of an hour, then he defended himself again for half an hour – only to add something small in the same video address. “I love New York and I love you,” said Cuomo on Tuesday, announcing his resignation from what he called the “honor of his life”.
Cuomo struggled for a week after an official investigation found him guilty of molesting several women. The governor had his back to the wall: more and more allies publicly withdrew their trust or resigned from his service, impeachment proceedings were picking up speed and criminal prosecution threatened from several quarters. Nevertheless, Cuomo, who describes himself as a “fighter”, rejected the allegations to the end and looked for strategic solutions and political deals – but then the pressure was probably too great.
Relief and joy at the resignation of the governor
Representatives of the #MeToo movement against sexual harassment, which Cuomo had once publicly praised, had also called for the resignation of the governor – and celebrated his withdrawal as the victory of their movement. “He’s gone,” commented co-founder Tarana Burke on Twitter. This is also evidence that women are finally being listened to more.
Cuomo’s declared goal of surpassing his father Mario, who was governor of New York for three terms between 1983 and 1994, has failed the ten-year governor. Politicians from both parties welcomed the governor’s withdrawal, while party friends were surprised and relieved. US President Joe Biden also recalled that the governor had done a very good job on many issues in his opinion.
Many people will probably remember Cuomo’s shirt-sleeved organization of the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, including Emmy-winning press conferences. The New Yorkers add the enforcement of same-sex marriage and minimum wage as well as some headline-grabbing infrastructure projects – such as the new Tappan Zee Bridge over the Hudson River, the Moynihan train terminal at Penn Station in Manhattan or the ongoing renovation of the La Guardia Airport. Cuomo was respected by many, but New Yorkers never really loved him – also because he was often stubborn, arrogant, argumentative and obsessed with power.
For the first time, a woman briefly takes over the office of governor
Cuomo’s future now seems completely uncertain. He had always extolled the office of governor of New York as the ultimate goal. Now the divorced father of three adult daughters – according to Twitter self-description “father, fisherman, motorcycle fan” – has to move out of the governor’s mansion in Albany, the capital of the state of New York. The criminal prosecution of the allegations against him continues, several voices also demanded that the impeachment proceedings should be carried out despite the resignation.
Cuomo is the ninth governor in the state’s history to resign – and the third to resign after allegations of wrongdoing. Most recently, Eliot Spitzer resigned as governor of New York in 2008 after a prostitute affair. With Cuomo’s withdrawal, an era is coming to an end in the state – and a premiere follows: in around two weeks, the previous deputy, Kathy Hochul, will be the first woman to officiate as governor of New York, at least temporarily.
The lawyer and mother of two is expected to take over Cuomo’s remaining term of office in full until the coming year. The next gubernatorial elections are due in November 2022 – and discussions are already underway as to whether Hochul will run. Numerous other Democrats have also shown interest. On the Republican side, the son of Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani, Andrew Giuliani, has already declared his candidacy.
But now it’s Hochul’s turn first. “I am ready to lead the state of New York as the 57th governor,” said the 62-year-old, who has held various political offices for decades – and immediately announced a first press conference for this week.
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