Senator Kirsten Gillibrand speaks at a news conference with Senator Chuck Schumer in the lobby at 875 on 3rd Avenue of Manhattan.
Lev Radin | LightRocket | Getty Images
Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, who represent New York in the U.S. Senate, have asked Governor Andrew Cuomo to step down as he faces multiple charges of sexual harassment and a scandal stemming from how he handled the Covid-19 crisis.
Schumer and Gillibrand, both Democrats, are the most prominent officials who have not yet called for Cuomo’s resignation. Their statement gave more impetus to a growing wave of fellow Democrats in Cuomo asking him to step down.
“Due to the multiple and credible allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct, it is clear that Governor Cuomo has lost the confidence of his partners in the government and the people of New York,” the senators said in a joint statement. “Governor Cuomo must resign.”
Earlier on Friday, Cuomo resisted an increasing number of resignations, calling these statements “reckless and dangerous”.
“I have never harassed anyone, I have never assaulted anyone, I have never abused anyone,” the three-term Democratic governor told a news conference.
Cuomo’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Schumer and Gillibrand’s statement. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
One of Cuomo’s accusers, Lindsey Boylan, threatened on Friday to start a PAC to support primary opponents against Schumer and Gillibrand, who at that time had not asked for the governor’s resignation.
More than half of the Democratic delegation from the New York Congress called for Cuomo’s resignation, as well as dozens of state Democratic lawmakers.
Read Sens’s full statement. Schumer and Gillibrand here:
“Facing and overcoming the Covid crisis requires secure and firm leadership. We commend the courageous actions of individuals who have made serious allegations of abuse and misconduct. Due to the multiple allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct, it is clear that Governor Cuomo lost his confidence of his partners in the government and the people of New York. Governor Cuomo must step down. “