Ocasio-Cortez, Bowman: Cuomo can no longer effectively lead

Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) in a statement released Friday said New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) can “no longer effectively lead” given the controversies surrounding him, essentially urging him to resign.

The two lawmakers did not actually urge Cuomo to resign, but the language in their statement suggested there was no real alternative for the New York governor. The two lawmakers said they believed the accounts from several women who have made allegations of improper conduct against Cuomo. 

“As members of the New York delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives, we believe these women, we believe the reporting, we believe the Attorney General, and we believe the fifty-five members of the New York State legislature, including the State Senate Majority Leader, who have concluded that Governor Cuomo can no longer effectively lead in the face of so many challenges,” the lawmakers wrote in a joint statement.

After two accounts of sexual assault, four accounts of harassment, the Attorney General’s investigation finding the Governor’s admin hid nursing home data from the legislature & public, we agree with the 55+ members of the New York State legislature that the Governor must resign. pic.twitter.com/jV5dwtuVPr

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) March 12, 2021

The statement was released as a number of other Democratic lawmakers, including House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler (N.Y.) and Rep. Mondaire Jones (N.Y.), called on Cuomo to resign.

“Over the past several months, it has become clear that Governor Cuomo is unfit to continue leading our state,” Jones said. “For the good of our state and everyone who calls it home, I urge Governor Cuomo to resign.” 

Over the past several months, it has become clear that Governor Cuomo is unfit to continue leading our state.

For the good of New York and everyone who calls it home, I urge Governor Cuomo to resign.

My full statement below ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/vCZSQCn9YF

— Mondaire Jones (@MondaireJones) March 12, 2021

The most recent allegation was published by The Times Union of Albany on Wednesday, in which an unnamed aide accused the governor of groping her at the Executive Mansion while she was helping him with a cellphone issue. That allegation has been referred to the police in Albany. 

On Thursday, New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D) launched an impeachment investigation into the allegations against Cuomo, a move that was seen by some as an effort to buy time for the governor. 

Fifty-five state lawmakers also called for Cuomo to resign. 

New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) is investigating the allegations against Cuomo, as well as his administration’s handling of COVID-19 in nursing homes.