NEW YORK (WKBW) — New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced his resignation Tuesday, effective in 14 days, following an investigation into sexual harassment allegations against him.
New York Attorney General Letitia James announced August 3 the independent investigation into sexual harassment allegations against Cuomo found he sexually harassed multiple women and violated state and federal laws.
In his announcement Tuesday, Cuomo said the situation surrounding the allegations will create months of political and legal controversy and he is stepping aside so that government can get back to governing.
Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, a Western New York native, is set to take over as governor and will become the first female governor of New York State.
She released the following statement Tuesday:
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.
Hochul will be the first female governor in the history of New York State. She has served in several different roles throughout her political career.
- 1994 to 2007 - Hamburg Town Board Member
- 2003 to 2006 - Deputy County Clerk: Erie County
- 2007 to 2011 - Erie County Clerk
- 2011 to 2013 - U.S. House of Representatives- 26th District
- 2015 to present - Lieutenant Governor of New York
In a release a spokesperson said Hochul "will be commenting further in the near future."
From her earliest days in politics, people Lt. Governor Hochul has worked with said she's a fighter who firmly believes in listening.
"She's probably the happiest when she's in a coffee shop shaking hands with people. The reason for that is she really wants to hear from people how the government can help them and how the decisions that are being made are affecting them," Tom Quatroche, ECMC CEO and former Hamburg Town Board member, said.
Quatroche said he's proud to call his friend the first female governor of New York.
"It's great for Western New York. It's great for her and her family as well as all the people of New York State because they're going to have a leader who really gets people. She gets and understands what it means to govern," Quatroche said.
A 1976 graduate of Hamburg High School, Superintendent Michael Cornell said Hochul has been a member of the school's Hall of Fame since 2017.
"It's obviously a great moment for Western New York. It's a great moment for the Hamburg community. It's also a great teaching moment for the young people in our schools," Cornell said.
He said now, Hamburg students can dream it and see it.
"That if you build good relationships, you care about people, you're kind to people, you're resilient, you overcome adversity, you work hard, then a kid from Hamburg can go anywhere and be anything. You can do anything you want. Kathy Hochul is a great example of that. We couldn't be prouder," Cornell said.
