'Sexual Misconduct Allegations' Cuomo Cornered... Even Democrats Demand Resignation

Calls for Resignation Emerge Within Democratic Party Amid Successive Revelations
Cuomo Holds Firm... "No Resignation Expected"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is facing mounting pressure to resign from the Democratic leadership in the state legislature amid allegations of sexual harassment against female aides, leaving him cornered.

On the 7th (local time), The New York Times (NYT) reported that Andrea Stewart-Cousins, a Democratic female politician and the State Senate Majority Leader, issued a statement saying, "New allegations that distract from the work of the state government are emerging daily," and added, "To prevent disruption of work, Governor Cuomo should resign."

Carl Heastie, the Democratic Speaker of the New York State Assembly, also stated in a press release, "There are concerns about whether the governor can lead New York State," and said, "It seems the time has come for Cuomo to seriously consider whether he should respond to the demands of New York citizens." Even Chuck Schumer, the Democratic U.S. Senate Majority Leader, expressed "deep concern" about Cuomo's sexual misconduct controversy, further narrowing Cuomo's political standing.

With state legislative leaders from the same party calling for his resignation, speculation has grown that Cuomo is likely to step down. When former Democratic Governor Eliot Spitzer resigned in 2008 amid prostitution allegations, losing the support of the New York State Legislature was a major factor, leading to expectations that a similar situation could unfold this time as well.

Governor Cuomo dismissed the possibility of resignation. In a video press conference that day, he emphasized, "I was elected by the votes of New Yorkers, not by politicians," and stated, "I will not neglect my duties due to allegations, nor will I resign."

Regarding Karen Hinton, his former press aide, who revealed that Cuomo forcibly hugged her in a hotel room in 2000, he rebutted, saying, "She has long been politically opposed to me," and added, "Any woman can speak out publicly, but the truth is also important." He appealed to New Yorkers to withhold judgment until the investigation by authorities is complete.

However, as sexual misconduct allegations against Cuomo continue to surface, pressure for his resignation is expected to intensify. On the 6th, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported, citing Anna Risse, a former aide to Cuomo, that in 2014 Cuomo frequently hugged and kissed Risse and sometimes asked if she had a boyfriend, constituting sexual harassment.

Dubbed a "COVID-19 hero" and considered a potential presidential candidate, Cuomo's leadership has also been severely damaged by allegations of manipulating COVID-19 death counts in nursing homes across New York State, the NYT pointed out.