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What NYC Mayoral Candidates Are Saying About Cuomo Now
By
Elizabeth Kim
Published Mar 8, 2021
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Governor's office
By
Elizabeth Kim
Published Mar 8, 2021
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The question of how the next mayor of New York City would work with Governor Andrew Cuomo has loomed over the mayoral candidates since the beginning of the race. But now, with the governor increasingly embroiled in twin scandals of alleged sexual misconduct and a lack of transparency over nursing home deaths, many of the leading candidates are making it clear that they would prefer not to have Cuomo in office at all.
Five candidates have so far issued calls for Cuomo to resign or be impeached. (Thus far, he has apologized but refused to resign.) The issue has been split along gender and political lines, with women and progressives voicing more forceful criticisms of the governor's alleged misdeeds.
As the city charts its recovery from the pandemic, how the next mayor handles relations with the governor is being seen as more critical than ever. New York City residents will need Albany's help on a host of issues ranging from funding, vaccinations, the reopening of businesses, and managing the subway.
Carlos Menchaca, a progressive Brooklyn City Councilmember, and Kathryn Garcia, the former sanitation commissioner, were the first candidates to say that the governor should resign following the allegations made by former aide Charlotte Bennett.
On Sunday, Maya Wiley reissued her call for the governor to step down, a stand she first took in a video she published last Wednesday.
In her most recent tweet, she noted the unanimity among her fellow female candidates.
Dianne Morales, the most left-leaning candidate in the race, had been the first candidate to urge the state legislature to begin impeachment proceedings. Last Wednesday, following the governor's first press briefing in which he said he would not step down, she doubled down on the call for impeachment.
On Sunday, one of the top contenders, City Comptroller Scott Stringer, also joined those demanding impeachment.
“Almost every day now brings with it a new report of unacceptable behavior by Governor Cuomo," he wrote in a statement, adding, "For the good of New Yorkers, Governor Cuomo must resign—and if he does not step down, the Legislature should swiftly begin impeachment proceedings to remove the Governor from office.”
Stringer, who as comptroller has been on good terms with Cuomo, had previously argued for an independent investigation.
Shaun Donovan, Eric Adams and Ray McGuire also called for independent investigations in the immediate wake of the charges, as did Andrew Yang, who was himself accused of creating a hostile work environment for women during his presidential campaign.
The three have yet to come out with any new statements on the matter.
Yang last week retweeted a tweet from his wife, Evelyn, showing her support for the women who have accused Cuomo. (Last year, she had came forward with her own story of sexual assault.)
This story has been updated to include Shaun Donovan's position on Cuomo.
Tagged
Governor Andrew Cuomo
election 2021
mayoral election
Cuomo in Crisis
Elizabeth Kim
Elizabeth Kim is a reporter on the People and Power desk who covers mayoral power. She previously covered the pandemic, housing, redevelopment and public spaces. A native of Queens, she speaks fluent Mandarin. Got a tip? Email [email protected]
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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