Reactions following the resignation of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo

Cuomo's resignation is a spectacular decline for someone who came from an American political dynasty and had even greater ambitions. Just a year ago was the face of a war on Coved in New York. His resignation was prompted not only by his opponents but also by political allies. He said he was withdrawing for the good of New York.

I think, given the circumstances, the best way I can help now is to leave and allow the government to return to governance. And that's what I'm going to do, Mr. Cuomo said.

Some New Yorkers were taken by surprise by his decision, even though the state legislature was openly pressing to remove it from office through the dismissal procedure.

I'm very surprised, but on the other hand this shows the lack of transparency in our governance. I'm as surprised as I am at the decision he made. I think maybe he might have tried to fight it, but I think he pulled himself up with a nobility”, says Miguel Jurado, New York resident.

I was just getting a little surprised, because I think that even with sexual harassment, it would continue. So, I'm glad she resigned at least”, says Brenda Zimmer, New York resident.

Despite his resignation, Mr. Cuomo continued to deny that he had deliberately disrespected women and said the charges were politically motivated “attacks against her.

I embrace and kiss people when I meet them, be they women and men. I've done it my whole life. I've always been like this. In my mind, I have never crossed the line with anyone. But I didn't understand how standards have changed. There are generations and cultural differences that I just didn't appreciate enough and should have done. There's no excuse”, said Mr. Cuomo.

The lawyer of one of the accusers, Gloria Allred, said he had done well to resign.

It is no longer acceptable to touch women in any part of their body, face or private parts. It is not acceptable in the workplace, nor is it outside the workplace. He knew that when he did this. It was risk-taking at the highest level “, she said.

President Biden said he respected Governor Cuomo's decision and that although he thought he had done good work in other ways, it was the right decision.

The “Grades should be trusted when making charges that are based on facts and proven by the investigation. They were investigated and determined that what they said was correct”, he said.

New York State Attorney General Lettia James said last week that women who accused Mr. Cuomo were employees and former employees of the state of New York.

Thanks to Mr. Cuomo's resignation, the state of New York will first be run by a woman, Deputy Governor Kathy Hochul, a 62-year-old former member of Congress. /voa