On August 10, 2021 Andrew Cuomo, the governor of New York, announced his resignation, which would go into effect two weeks later. Former Governor Cuomo made headlines over a sexual harassment scandal involving 11 separate women. Cuomo announced his resignation not even a day after his lawyer denied the allegations. 

Cuomo served three years as the governor of New York. He claimed his resignation was to get rid of the distraction the allegations might cause the state government. President Biden supported his resignation, and even called for him to step down

In Cuomo’s address to the state he said, “Given the circumstances, the best way I can help now is if I step aside and let government get back to government.”

While he claims his resignation is what is best for the people of New York, he has not denied all of the claims. He believes he never crossed the line with anyone and he had no realization that the line “has been redrawn.”

His resignation now leaves 62-year-old Kathy Hochul as his replacement. Hochul will be the first female governor of New York. Hochul was formally the lieutenant governor.

Hochul said in her first interview to the public that,  “it’s very clear that the Governor and I have not been close, physically or otherwise.” She was selected as Cuomo’s running mate in his 2nd term and was never mentioned in any report of Cuomo’s allegations.