New York Lieutenant Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) is responding to Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s (D) resignation, saying she is “prepared to lead.”
Cuomo announced he would step down from his position after the state’s attorney general found that he sexually harassed several women, as IJR reported.
Hochul expressed her support for his decision in a tweet, adding, “It is the right thing to do and in the best interest of New Yorkers. 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.”
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.
— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) August 10, 2021
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.
Hochul is set to become New York’s first female governor, as CNN reports. The outlet also points out she has served as Cuomo’s lieutenant for nearly the last seven years.
She previously called Cuomo’s alleged behavior “repulsive and unlawful.” Hochul continued, “I believe these brave women and admire their courage coming forward.”
Cuomo offered words of encouragement to Hochul, calling her “smart and competent.”
During a press conference Tuesday, Cuomo said his “instinct” was to fight through the controversy. He explained, “New York Tough means New York loving. And I l love New York, and I love you. And everything I have ever done has been motivated by that love. And I would never want to be unhelpful in any way.”
The governor added, “I think that given the circumstances, the best way I can help now is to step aside and let government get back to governing.”
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki was asked on Tuesday what President Joe Biden’s reaction was to the resignation, as IJR reported.
“The president made clear his views last week and those stand. Our view is that this is a story about these courageous women who came forward, told their stories, shared their stories,” Psaki said.
She continued, “And an investigation overseen by the attorney that of course concluded today in an outcome that the president called for just last week.”
Psaki also acknowledged, “A number of you have asked whether the president talked to [Cuomo] since this report came out, the answer is no. Whether we had a heads up on this announcement today, the answer is no.”