New York will have its first female governor after all. This comes after Governor Andrew Cuomo announced his resignation from public office amid an ongoing state investigation of a series of assault allegations where it was discovered that he had inappropriately harassed eleven women and also tried to unjustly carry out revenge on one of the women that accused him.
NPR | New York is soon to have its first female governor
“Wasting energy on distractions is the last thing that the state government should be doing and I cannot be the cause of that,” the soon-to-be ex-governor had said in a video speech.
He expressed that since the situation is what it is, it would be best for him to resign and step down from the office so the government can focus on its real tasks.
His successor, Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul said that her predecessor’s decision to resign was the right thing to do and in the best interest of New Yorkers. The resignation of the governor will be through in fourteen days.
It has all been about the excuses for Cuomo. Throughout this whole process, Cuomo has not once admitted to any of the accusations. Instead, the governor remained set on his defense that the accusations were merely misinterpretations of his affectionate style of politics and endeavor to build better office rapport. He claimed he had never inappropriately touched any woman.
Politico | Governor Andrew Cuomo announced his resignation from public office amid an ongoing state investigation of a series of assault allegations
Cuomo also added that he didn't realize that he had crossed the line with someone and should have been more clear about the other person's boundaries.
Ultimately he noted that he shouldn’t give excuses for his actions, but that he didn’t really pay attention to the new cultural norms and differences in his generation compared to the new.
Governor Andrew Cuomo had been governor of the liberal state of New York for more than 11 years. Resigning certainly is not the best way to end his long career which would have been considered successful otherwise despite the style of politics that was broadly categorized by coercion and punishment.
As much as Cuomo politicized his resignation and made it seem like a personal decision for the good of New York, he had already lost the backing of many Democrats both inside and outside the state, including the support of President Joe Biden. In the wake of the court's findings, Cuomo was asked to resign by the state senate leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and at the end of his career, he was alone with no supporters but his lawyers.
The Intercept | Governor Andrew Cuomo had been governor of the liberal state of New York for more than 11 years
A poll that was held in the state showed that people wanted Cuomo to resign and that includes some party members as well. It didn't even stop there, the polls went on to show that half of New Yorkers believe he assaulted those women and another half believe he should be tried for a criminal offense.
A lot of the victims of Cuomo's assault are very much relieved that the governor won’t be in a position of authority anymore and it at least feels like some form of justice has been served.
