Cuomos critics fear he is preparing to run again

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Governor Andrew Cuomo’s resignation on Tuesday did not initially give the impression that he was preparing to step down. If anything, the three-term governor seemed to be digging his heels.

After a 45-minute presentation by his personal lawyer, Rita Glavin, who said favorable evidence was omitted from the state attorney general’s report finding Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women, the governor delivered his own speech. He denied the most serious accusations. Instead, he once again apologized for being too familiar with people, explaining that my sense of humor can be callous and off-putting.

When Cuomo finally said he would step down in two weeks, he called it necessary to avoid a long and costly impeachment battle. He then continued with a litany of his accomplishments: legalizing same-sex marriage, spending a minimum wage of $ 15, and cracking down on assault weapons. We made New York State the progressive capital of the nation, he sang.

That provocative and even triumphant tone, from a responsible politician known for his pride, has left many critics’ governors wondering if he is considering a political comeback.

I would never underestimate Andrew Cuomo, said Rebecca Katz, who advised Cynthia Nixon on her unsuccessful main Democratic challenge against Cuomo in 2018. He is currently America’s most Machiavellian politician, with the possible exception of be Donald Trump.

Katz noted that by stepping down, Cuomo may have avoided an impeachment lawsuit that could prevent him from running for a job in New York City. He still has options without this trial, she said.

He’s still a guy with 100% name recognition with $ 20 million in the bank, she said, referring to the large war chest he amassed as he prepared for run for a fourth term next year. Under state law, he is allowed to keep this money for a future campaign, reimburse his backers, or donate it to charity.

He’s been trying to buy time from the start, Katz said. And my worst fear is that he will go away for a few months, then come back and run for governor again.

The Assembly Judiciary Committee met on Monday to discuss the impeachment process, but has yet to say whether it will end the investigation following Cuomos’ resignation. Members are due to meet again next Monday.

Some political observers don’t believe Cuomo is considering another political race because even his closest political allies abandoned him in the wake of the Attorney General’s damaging report.

I can’t imagine, ”said Kathryn Wylde, president of the New York City Partnership. She backed the struggling governor earlier this year.

As late as the end of June, the governor was still able to organize a fundraiser with the support of the chairman of the state’s Democratic committee, Jay Jacobs. But even Jacobs called for Cuomos’ resignation after the attorney general’s report. Jacobs did not respond to calls and emails from Gothamist / WNYC.

Some of Cuomos’ opponents now want to force him into the political desert by urging the Assembly Judiciary Committee to continue drafting articles of impeachment.

We will not rest until all the stench of the Cuomo administration is wiped out of state government and we usher in a new era of integrity and common sense under a Republican governor in 2022, the president said. from the state’s GOP party, Nick Langworthy.

Republican Party spokeswoman Jessica Proud added that it wouldn’t surprise her if Cuomo tried to represent himself. If you recall, we called for his impeachment in February for covering up the nursing home, she said, for which he has yet to be held accountable.

The US Department of Justice recently declined to investigate whether Cuomo’s handling of the COVID-19 virus in nursing homes violated civil rights.

By raising fears of a Cuomo return, Republicans could try to energize their base ahead of next year’s gubernatorial election. Long Island Congressman Lee Zeldin raised the most money, pulling in even more money than Cuomo during the last deposit period.

Without Cuomo and his political scandals, Liz Benjamin, political consultant and general manager at Albany for Marathon Strategies, said it was harder for a Republican to win in such a heavily Democratic state. They needed an injured Cuomo, she explained.

Benjamin said Cuomo was unlikely to consider reclaiming his office next year, although he could leave the door open for years to come. He’s a political animal, she said, of the 63-year-old son of former Governor Mario Cuomo.

Cuomos’ exit certainly opens the door for more Democrats. Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul will take her place and has yet to say whether the shell will work next year. State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, Public Attorney Jumaane WIlliams, Attorney General Letitia James and State Senator Alessandra Biaggi are some of the other Democratic political observers who could get into the race.

This is why some Democrats and their allies are also urging the Assembly to end the impeachment process.

Manhattan State Senator Liz Krueger said she wanted to do everything in my power to ensure that he could no longer run for office despite the fact that he had racked up a huge war crate.

Resigning is not a real responsibility, added Sochie Nnaemeka, director of the New York Working Families Party, which has repeatedly interfered with Cuomo. She noted that the governor’s lawyer used his speaking time on Tuesday to refute the allegations of sexual harassment, which did not set the tone for contrition.

We fear the governor will continue to make room for a possible re-election campaign, she said, adding: It’s not above him.

But not everyone is so worried or thinks impeachment is necessary. Queens Assembly Member David Weprin, who sits on the Judiciary Committee, said: It is a significant expense to move forward with an impeachment process which in itself would be a distraction.

Another committee member, Kenneth Zebrowski of Rockland County, said he had not yet decided whether to continue with the proceedings. But he said, I think it’s unrealistic for the governors to show up again.

However, he acknowledged that speculation can be interesting.

Beth Fertig is a senior reporter covering the city’s recovery efforts at WNYC. You can follow her on Twitter at @bethfertig.

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