Andrew Cuomo Announces Resignation as Governor of New York

Days after a report detailing his sexual harassment of eleven women was released, Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced his resignation as governor of New York Wednesday. The resignation will be effective in 14 days. 

Cuomo's discussion about his pending departure begins at about 12:00 in the video from an address he made late Wednesday morning.

Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, also a Democrat will become the 57th - and first female - governor of the state when she takes over. 

I agree with Governor Cuomo's decision to step down. It is the right thing to do and in the best interest of New Yorkers.

As someone who has served at all levels of government and is next in the line of succession, I am prepared to lead as New York State’s 57th Governor.

— Kathy Hochul (@LtGovHochulNY) August 10, 2021

If Cuomo had not resigned, he faced the prospect of removal from office by the state legislature.

2022 Election

New York is one of 36 states with a gubernatorial election in 2022. Cuomo had previously announced he would run for a fourth term. As a result, no Democrats have yet joined the race. On the GOP side, Rep. Lee Zeldin (NY-1), 2014 GOP gubernatorial nominee Rob Astorino, and Andrew Giuliani announced their candidacies earlier this year, hoping that a Cuomo weakened by multiple scandals would create an opening for a Republican despite the deep blue lean of the state.  The last Republican governor of the state was George Pataki, who served three terms after defeating Cuomo's father, Mario, in the 1994 election.