ALBANY, N.Y. (WIVB) — More than 55 percent of New York’s state legislators are now calling on Gov. Andrew Cuomo to resign amid growing sexual harassment allegations.
59 Democratic members of the Senate and Assembly signed their names to a letter Thursday calling for Cuomo to step down. 20 Republican state senators added their support in a separate letter Thursday, and News 4’s Chris Horvatits reports an additional 38 Republicans in the Assembly support calling for Cuomo’s resignation.
Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins’ name was not included on the list released Thursday, but she has previously called for Cuomo to resign. Adding her, that brought the total to at least 118 state legislators out of 213 who have made public calls for Cuomo to resign.
The calls come as the Governor faces a series of controversies involving his administration’s handling of nursing home deaths and a number of sexual harassment allegations against him.
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Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said in a statement Thursday, “In light of the allegations concerning the Governor over the last several weeks, I will be meeting with members in conference today on potential paths forward.”
Here is the full list of legislators who called for Cuomo’s resignation Thursday:
NYS Assembly
- Thomas Abinanti (D-Westchester)
- Khaleel Anderson (D-Queens)
- Brian Barnwell (D-Queens)
- Harry Bronson (D-Rochester)
- Kenny Burgos (D-Bronx)
- Patrick Burke (D-Buffalo)
- Marianne Buttenschon (D-Utica)
- Robert Carroll (D-Brooklyn)
- Sarah Clark (D-Rochester)
- Catalina Cruz (D-Queens)
- Carmen De La Rosa (D-Manhattan)
- Simcha Eichenstein (D-Brooklyn)
- Harvey Epstein (D-Manhattan)
- Nathalia Fernandez (D-Bronx)
- Mathylde Frontus (D-Brooklyn)
- Emily Gallagher (D-Brooklyn)
- Jessica González-Rojas (D-Queens)
- Richard Gottfried (D-Manhattan)
- Judy Griffin (D-Nassau)
- Aileen Gunther (D-Forestburgh)
- Andrew Hevesi (D-Queens)
- Jonathan Jacobson (D-Newburgh)
- Anna Kelles (D-Ithaca)
- Ron Kim (D-Queens)
- Jennifer Lunsford (D-Rochester)
- Zohran Mamdani (D-Queens)
- Marcela Mitaynes (D-Brooklyn)
- Yuh-Line Niou (D-Manhattan)
- Amy Paulin (D-Westchester)
- Victor Pichardo (D-Bronx)
- Dan Quart (D-Manhattan)
- Karines Reyes (D-Bronx)
- Linda Rosenthal (D-Manhattan)
- Daniel Rosenthal (D-Queens)
- Nily Rozic (D-Queens)
- Angelo Santabarbara (D-Schenectady)
- Amanda Septimo (D-Bronx)
- Jo Anne Simon (D-Brooklyn)
- Phara Souffrant Forest (D-Brooklyn)
- Carrie Woerner (D-Saratoga)
- Plus 38 Republicans, according to reporting from Chris Horvatits.
State Senators (D)
- Alessandra Biaggi (D-Bronx/Westchester)
- Jabari Brisport (D-Brooklyn)
- Samra Brouk (D-Rochester)
- Michael Gianaris (D-Queens)
- Andrew Gounardes (D-Brooklyn)
- Brad Hoylman (D-Manhattan)
- Robert Jackson (D-Manhattan)
- Brian Kavanagh (D-Brooklyn/Manhattan)
- John Liu (D-Queens)
- John Mannion (D-Syracuse)
- Rachel May (D-Syracuse)
- Shelley Mayer (D-Westchester)
- Jessica Ramos (D-Queens)
- Elijah Reichlin-Melnick (D-Rockland/Westchester)
- Gustavo Rivera (D-Bronx)
- Julia Salazar (D-Brooklyn)
- James Sanders, Jr. (D-Queens)
- James Skoufis (D-Hudson Valley)
- Toby Ann Stavisky (D-Queens)
State Senators (R)
- Republican Leader Robert Ortt (62nd District)
- Senator Fred Akshar (52nd District)
- Senator George Borrello (57th District)
- Senator Phil Boyle (4th District)
- Senator Patrick Gallivan (59th District)
- Senator Joseph Griffo (47th District)
- Senator Pamela Helming (54th District)
- Senator Daphne Jordan (43rd District)
- Senator Andrew Lanza (24th District)
- Senator Mike Martucci (42nd District)
- Senator Mario Mattera (2nd District)
- Senator Thomas O’Mara (58th District)
- Senator Peter Oberacker (51st District)
- Senator Anthony Palumbo (1st District)
- Senator Edward Rath III (61st District)
- Senator Patty Ritchie (48th District)
- Senator Sue Serino (41st District)
- Senator Daniel Stec (45th District)
- Senator James Tedisco (49th District)
- Senator Alexis Weik (3rd District)
Here is a joint statement from the Democratic legislators:
“As legislators and as New Yorkers we all must decide what is best for the future of New York State. The budget, the fight against COVID-19, and restarting the economy all demand clear and trustworthy leadership. In light of the Governor’s admission of inappropriate behavior and the findings of altered data on nursing home COVID-19 deaths he has lost the confidence of the public and the state legislature, rendering him ineffective in this time of most urgent need.
Attorney General James has made clear that her independent investigation will continue and has already made an excellent choice in those picked to lead the investigation. We are fully confident in the Attorney General’s ability to investigate this matter thoroughly, and know that no change in state executive leadership will impede or affect her office’s important work. We are deeply grateful for her clear-eyed and unwavering leadership.
In the meantime, the Governor needs to put the people of New York first. We have a Lieutenant
Democratic NYS legislators
Governor who can step in and lead for the remainder of the term, and this is what is best for New Yorkers in this critical time. It is time for Governor Cuomo to resign.”
Here is a statement from the Republican senators calling for Cuomo’s resignation:
“The Governor’s office is under a cloud of multiple scandals and ongoing investigations. New Yorkers need a leader to focus on the important work facing this state, but the ability of this Governor to be anything but a distraction is damaged beyond repair. He must resign for the good of all New Yorkers. If the Governor does not resign, the next step is impeachment.”
Republican NYS Senators
Beth Garvey, acting counsel to Gov. Cuomo, released a statement in regard to the recent allegations:
“As a matter of state policy when allegations of physical contact are made, the agency informs the complainant that they should contact their local police department. If they decline, the agency has an obligation to reach out themselves and inform the department of the allegation.
In this case the person is represented by counsel and when counsel confirmed the client did not want to make a report, the state notified the police department and gave them the attorney’s information.”
Beth Garvey
On Friday, even more elected officials called on Cuomo to resign. Sen. Tim Kennedy, who represents the 63rd Senate District, was one of them.
“The growing number of allegations of assault, harassment, and inappropriate behavior by the Governor are disturbing. I commend the women who have come forward for their courage. They deserve justice, which begins with a thorough investigation. I strongly support the ongoing investigation led by Attorney General James, the investigation led by the Assembly Judiciary Committee, and the inquiries by relevant District Attorney offices, however I personally believe these allegations have made it impossible for the Governor to effectively serve the people of New York, and I believe he should resign.”
Sen. Tim Kennedy
