New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D) is calling for New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) to resign after two more women accused him of sexual harassment.
In a statement on Sunday, Stewart-Cousins said, “Every day there is another account that is drawing away from the business of government. We have allegations about sexual harassment, a toxic work environment, the loss of credibility surrounding the Covid-19 nursing home data, and questions about the construction of a major infrastructure project.”
“New York is still in the midst of this pandemic and is still facing the societal, health, and economic impacts of it. We need to govern without daily distraction. For the good of the state Governor Cuomo must resign,” she added.
News: State Swnate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins has called on Gov. Cuomo to resign. pic.twitter.com/GQHEECyxD1
— Nick Reisman (@NickReisman) March 7, 2021
The state’s Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D) also released a statement where he said, “I too share the sentiment of Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins regarding the Governor’s ability to continue to lead this state.”
“We have many challenges to address, and I think it is time for the Governor to seriously consider whether he can effectively meet the needs of the people of New York,” he added.
— Mike Whyland (@mwhyland) March 7, 2021
Cuomo faced calls for his resignation after three women accused him of sexual harassment.
However, Stewart-Cousins initially held off on calling for his resignation. On Thursday, she said, “Any further people coming forward, I think it would be time to resign.”
Over the weekend, two more women accused Cuomo of acting inappropriately.
Stewart-Cousins is now the highest ranking official in the state to call for the governor’s resignation.
In a press call on Sunday before Stewart-Cousins’ statement, Cuomo shot down calls for his resignation, “I was elected by the people of the state… I’m not going to resign because of allegations.”
“There is no way I resign,” he added.
Cuomo previously denied that he knowingly acted inappropriately and suggested that his accusers misinterpreted his comments, as IJR reported.
“I now understand that I acted in a way that made people feel uncomfortable. It was unintentional, and I truly and deeply apologize for it,” he said during a press conference on Wednesday. “I feel awful about it. And frankly, I am embarrassed by it.”
Still, he maintained that he “never touched anyone inappropriately.”