Excelsi-no-more!
Governor Andrew Cuomo resigns, Brooklynites react
The governor’s resignation was necessary
for New York State to move forward and
continue the critical work of our recovery.”
- ERIC ADAMS
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COURIER L 2 IFE, AUGUST 13-19, 2021
BY BEN BRACHFELD
Gov. Andrew Cuomo resigned
from offi ce Tuesday,
saying he did not want an inevitable
impeachment and
trial over sexual harassment
allegations to distract from
the business of the state.
The governor’s resignation
will take effect in two weeks,
on Aug. 24, at which point, Lt.
Gov. Kathy Hochul will take
the reins as the state’s chief
executive. Hochul will be the
fi rst woman governor in New
York’s history.
The announcement came
after about an hour of Cuomo
and, before that, his attorney
Rita Glavin bashing the investigation
into his conduct
by State Attorney General Letitia
James, whose 165-page
report substantiating allegations
of sexual harassment by
Cuomo against 11 women led
to essentially the entire Democratic
Party calling for his
head. But after picking apart
the claims made in the report,
Cuomo pivoted, saying that
his continued presence would
serve as a distraction from the
important work of the state.
“New York Tough means
New York Loving, and I love
New York, and I love you,”
Cuomo said from his offi ces in
Manhattan. “And everything I
have ever done has been motivated
by that love. And I would
never want to be unhelpful
in any way. And I think that
given the circumstances, the
best way I can help now is if I
step aside and let government
get back to governing.”
Incoming Gov. Hochul said
she agreed with Cuomo’s decision
and is ready to assume
the reins of power.
“I agree with Governor
Cuomo’s decision to step down.
It is the right thing to do and in
the best interest of New Yorkers,”
Hochul said. “As someone
who has served at all levels
of government and is next
in the line of succession, I am
prepared to lead as New York
State’s 57th Governor.”
Mayor Bill de Blasio, Cuomo’s
nemesis, said from vacation
in Massachusetts that,
while the resignation should
have already happened, it was
for the good of New Yorkers.
“Make no mistake, this is the
result of survivors bravely
telling their stories,” Hizzoner
said. “It was past time for Andrew
Cuomo to resign and it’s
for the good of all New York.”
Senator Chuck Schumer,
fresh off of passing an infrastructure
bill in Washington,
said he has spoken with
Hochul and has full confi -
dence in her.
“First, I want to commend
the brave women who stepped
forward and courageously told
their stories,” Schumer said.
“There is no place for sexual
harassment, and today’s announcement
by Governor
Cuomo to resign was the right
decision for the good of the
people of New York. I have full
confi dence that Lt Governor
Hochul will establish a professional
and capable administration.
I have spoken with Lt
Governor Hochul and look forward
to working together to
help the people of New York.”
Attorney General James
said Cuomo’s resignation
ended a “sad chapter” for the
state but also opens a new one
with Hochul’s breaking the
glass ceiling.
“Today closes a sad chapter
for all of New York, but
it’s an important step towards
justice,” James said. “I thank
Governor Cuomo for his contributions
to our state. The
ascension of our Lieutenant
Governor, Kathy Hochul, will
help New York enter a new
day. We must continue to build
on the progress already made
and improve the lives of New
Yorkers in every corner of the
state. I know our state is in
good hands with Lieutenant
Governor Hochul at the helm,
and I look forward to continuing
to work with her.”
Brooklyn Borough President
and Democratic nominee
for Mayor Eric Adams echoed
others that Cuomo’s resignation
was the right decision
and in the best interest of New
Yorkers.
“The governor’s resignation
was necessary for New
York State to move forward
and continue the critical work
of our recovery,” Adams said.
“I look forward to working
in partnership with Lieutenant
Governor Hochul on the
key issues affecting our city
and region at this pivotal moment.”
City Councilmember and
Democratic nominee for
Comptroller Brad Lander said
Cuomo’s well-known bullying
tactics being defeated was for
the good of the city and state.
“Abusive, bullying power is
insidious. Its defeat matters,”
he said, thanking the women
who came forward with accusations
of harassment, as well
as James.
Public Advocate Jumaane
Williams released a lengthy,
scathing statement criticizing
Cuomo as having governed in
his own interests, and maintaining
that his resignation
will allow a chance to recover
even if he has disagreements
with Hochul, whom he challenged
in the 2018 primary for
Lt. Governor.
“Finally. Many of us have
known for a long time that Andrew
Cuomo was the wrong
Governor for New York,” the
statement read in part. “The
last several months have
plainly revealed that to the
world as brave women who endured
the Governor’s abuse
have spoken out, and as his administration
has attempted to
attack and ignore them. And
while I hope that today gives
the survivors of his conduct
some semblance of peace and
measure of justice, it is not a
day of triumph and celebration
— even the words of his resignation
statement infl icted
pain on survivors across the
state. Today I am refl ecting on
the totality of the harm done,
the systems that enable it, and
the work ahead to dismantle
those systems.”
“Lieutenant Governor
Kathy Hochul and I have disagreed
in the past about the direction
of our state and its leadership,”
Williams’ statement
continued. “At the same time,
in assuming this role, we need
her to stabilize New York in a
perilous moment and against
an incessant volley of crises,
and I — as we all should be —
am ready to work with her to
recover from this pandemic
and rebuild New York. I hope
that over the coming months
she will be able to begin to address
the toxic culture created
by Governor Cuomo and those
around him who empowered
and enabled him, and all the
damage the administration
has wrought.”
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