After contested New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced his resignation on charges of sexual harassment, Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul will become the first female governor in the state’s 233-year history.
Cuomo, 63, said Tuesday his resignation will take effect in 14 days and the transition should be seamless.
“Kathy Hochul, my lieutenant governor, is smart and competent. This transition must be seamless. We have big plans. I’m very worried about the Delta variant (of the coronavirus) and you should be too. But it can come” quickly to expedite and my resignation will take effect in 14 days, “said Cuomo.
READ: New York Governor Andrew Cuomo eventually resigns over sexual harassment
Hochul, 62, is expected to remain in office as governor until the end of Cuomo’s current four-year term in December 2022. She will be the first woman to lead New York State in its 233-year history.
“I agree with Governor Cuomo’s decision to resign. It is the right thing and in the best interests of New Yorkers. As someone who has served at all levels of government and is the next to succeed, I stand ready,” as the 57th Governor of New York State, “Hochul tweeted.
I agree with Governor Cuomo’s decision to resign. It’s right and in the best interests of New Yorkers.
As someone who has served in all levels of government and will be the next to succeed, I am ready to lead as the 57th governor of New York State.
– Kathy Hochul (@LtGovHochulNY) August 10, 2021
Hochul was sworn in as the 77th Lieutenant Governor of New York State on January 1, 2015. She was elected with Cuomo on November 4, 2014.
Prior to her election, she was Group Vice President for Strategic Relationships at M&T Bank, where she served as the liaison officer for community affairs and major economic development projects.
Born and raised in the state, Hochul has focused her political life on fighting for working families. She “was a strong voice in the successful struggle for a minimum wage of $ 15 and paid family vacations. Every day, Kathy works with the governor and state legislature to improve the lives of all New York families – nobody works full – time should live in poverty, ”says her profile.
From 2011 to 2013, then-Congresswoman Kathy Hochul served in the House of Representatives for New York’s 26th Congressional District, according to her official profile.
Prior to her tenure in Congress, Hochul was the highest-ranking elected officer in Erie County while serving as the county clerk from 2007 to 2011.
The Vice Governor was also a member of the Hamburg City Council for 14 years.
Hochul holds a bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University and a JD from Catholic University in Washington, DC.
In 2006, the lieutenant governor founded the Kathleen Mary House, a transitional home for victims of domestic violence, with her mother and aunt, and served on the board of directors. She co-founded the Village Action Coalition to help local businesses survive competition from large department stores.
Cuomo announced his resignation on Tuesday, a week after independent investigators said he sexually harassed several women, including former and current government employees, through unwanted groping, kissing and hugging.
“When I took my oath as governor, I became a fighter, but I became a fighter for you. And it is your best interest that I must serve. This situation will cause political and legal controversy for months due to its current development.
“This is the political wind. It will consume the government. It will cost taxpayers millions of dollars, it will brutalize people,” he said, referring to the sexual harassment allegations and the trial against him.
Address to the people of New York. Watch live: https://t.co/0DOItVsW23
– Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) August 10, 2021
Cuomo said the state assembly on Monday outlined the weeks of the process that will lead to months of litigation and “the time and money the government should spend managing COVID-19 to protect itself from the Delta variant, the state reopening, fighting gun violence, and “saving New York City would be a waste of all this time.”
Cuomo said this was one of the “Most challenging times” for the government in a generation.
“The government really has to work today. The government has to perform. It’s about life and death. And wasting energy on distractions is the last thing the state government should do.
“And I cannot be the reason that, under the circumstances, I can best help if I step aside and let the government rule again,” said Cuomo, adding, “That is why I will do this because I work for you and doing what’s right for you means doing what’s right for you. “
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio tweeted, “Make no mistake, this is the result of survivors boldly telling their stories. It was high time for Andrew Cuomo to step down, and it is for the good of all of New York. “
Make no mistake, this is the result of survivors boldly telling their stories. It was high time for Andrew Cuomo to step down, and it is for the good of all of New York.
– Major Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) August 10, 2021
Last week, independent investigators appointed by New York Attorney General Letitia James released their report on the multiple allegations of sexual harassment against Cuomo.
After nearly five months, investigators concluded that Cuomo “had sexually molested several women – including former and current government employees – by engaging in unsolicited groping, kissing, hugging and making inappropriate comments,” James said in a statement .
The governor and his Executives took retaliatory measures against at least one former employee for telling her story. Cuomo’s Executive Chamber promoted a “toxic” workplace that “allowed harassment and created a hostile work environment”.
“This is a sad day for New York because independent investigators have concluded that Governor Cuomo has sexually molested several women in violation of the law,” said James.
“I am grateful to all of the women who came forward to tell their stories meticulously so that investigators can find out the truth. No man – no matter how powerful – is allowed to molest women or violate our human rights laws, period. “
The investigation found that the sexual harassment of several women by Governor Cuomo and the Executive Chamber’s retaliation against a former employee who made her allegations of sexual harassment violated several state and state laws.
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