All had called for governor to leave

On Tuesday (Aug. 14), Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced he would resign, effective in 14 days, following the release earlier this month of state attorney general’s report that concluded he broke state and federal laws against workplace sexual harassment.

Three of the four state and federal elected officials in the Highlands had called for Cuomo to resign months ago, when the allegations became public: Jonathan Jacobson, a Democrat whose Assembly district includes Beacon; Sue Serino, a Republican whose state Senate district includes the Highlands; and U.S. Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, a Democrat whose district includes the Highlands.

Sandy Galef, a Democrat whose Assembly district includes Philipstown, at the time was among a group of Democratic women in the Assembly who called for an independent investigation; last week, with the investigation complete, she also said it was time for Cuomo to step aside.

Hochul in Cold Spring
During a visit to Cold Spring in 2016, Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul (at right) spoke with Assemblywoman Sandy Galef and David Kimelman and Kevin Burke, who were then retailers on Main Street. (File photo)

The governor, a three-term Democrat, also faced criticism over his administration’s handling of the spread of COVID-19 in nursing homes and the preparation of a memoir he wrote about his leadership during the pandemic. He will be succeeded by Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul and become the first woman to hold the office.

Maloney expressed his support for Hochul on Twitter, saying he had “every confidence” that she “will meet the needs of this pivotal moment as we work to defeat COVID-19. She’s going to hit the ground running.”

Jacobson said in a statement: “Gov. Cuomo’s announcement that he is stepping down is the right one for New York. He no longer has the trust necessary to govern effectively. I have known Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul for many years and have full confidence in her ability to lead the state. I look forward to working with her.”

Serino called the governor’s resignation “a small step toward restoring integrity in the Capitol” but said “there is immense work to be done to effectively restore public trust and ensure true justice and accountability for the victims of sexual harassment, and for all those who have been impacted by the Governor’s actions during the past 18 months, especially New York’s nursing home residents and their loved ones.”

She added: “How someone who stood so tall in the eyes of so many at the start of the pandemic can fall so far is a clear example of what happens when extreme power goes unchecked. It has never been more important to bring balance back to Albany to ensure that our government is one that truly works for the people of New York State. That starts by ensuring this governor has zero control over the transition process. 

“As we continue to work to rebuild in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have incredible challenges still ahead of us, and I thank Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul for stepping up to take those challenges on.”

The state Assembly also had started preparing an impeachment resolution. Had he been impeached, Cuomo would have been tried by a jury of state senators and judges from the Court of Appeals.

Earlier this year, in anticipation of impeachment, Serino introduced legislation that would prohibit Court of Appeals judges appointed by an accused governor from serving as jurors and prevent an accused governor from filling vacancies on the court during the proceedings. The bills remain in committee.

Behind The Story

Type: News

News: Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.

A former longtime national magazine editor, Rowe has worked at newspapers in Michigan, Idaho and South Dakota and has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in journalism from Northwestern University. Location: Philipstown. Languages: English. Area of Expertise: General.

One reply on “Local Officials React to Resignation”

  1. Thank you, state Sen. Sue Serino, for your perspicacious, high-minded commentary on the resignation of the governor. It’s so persuasive when someone from your party opines about the dangers inherent in letting “extreme power” go “unchecked.” (Also, not for nothing: Don’t let the door hit you in the keister on your way out, Andrew.) [via Instagram]

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