How long can New York Governor Andrew Cuomo withstand pressure to quit over sexual harassment allegations?
- Cuomo has implored his critics to ‘wait for the facts’ to emerge in a new investigation of the claims
- Remaining in office appeared increasingly untenable for the governor, who has served in the post for 10 years
New York’s embattled Governor Andrew Cuomo on Friday said he will not step down despite calls to do so by heavyweights within his Democratic Party, as he faces multiple allegations of sexual harassment and inappropriate touching.
“I am not going to resign. I did not do what has been alleged,” the 63-year-old Democrat said on a call to reporters, referring to accusations made by six women since February.
The governor first refused publicly to step down last week, but the crisis has only mushroomed since.
After his latest comments, the calls for him to quit his post redoubled, with New York’s two US senators including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer saying the “multiple, credible” allegations mean Cuomo has lost the ability to govern.
“It is clear that Governor Cuomo has lost the confidence of his governing partners and the people of New York,” Schumer said in a statement with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. “Governor Cuomo should resign.”