Most govs silent on whether Cuomo should resign as national group chair
WASHINGTON — No governor has publicly called for Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo to step aside from his chairmanship of the National Governors Association despite bipartisan calls for his resignation from office amid simultaneous investigations — one state, the other federal — into sexual harassment allegations made against him and his handling of nursing home deaths in the state.
Hearst newspapers contacted the governors of all 49 other states to ask if Cuomo should remain chairman of the nonpartisan political organization, which represents the collective voice of governors. Few offered any response — and none said he should leave the role.
NGA Vice Chair Gov. Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas on Tuesday said the investigation into sexual harassment claims against Cuomo should conclude before the organization considers revoking his leadership role.
“Anytime you have allegations that are made by someone, in this case a woman, very serious allegations, they need to be given credibility,” said Hutchinson, a Republican. “I am glad that there is an independent investigation ongoing and I think we should all wait for the results of that independent investigation and see where that conclusion leads everyone.”
On Monday, Connecticut’s Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont, who has called Cuomo a friend and worked closely with him on pandemic response, said he supported the investigation into the sexual harassment allegations, but that in his view New York’s governor can continue to lead the NGA.
“That’s going fine right now,” Lamont said. “I think the independent investigation will tell you a lot over the next two to three weeks.”
A spokeswoman for Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat who serves on NGA’s executive committee, said Whitmer “believes the allegations made against Gov. Cuomo are serious and there needs to be a transparent, thorough, and independent investigation into this matter.” The spokeswoman did not respond when asked if Cuomo should remain in his leadership post within the organization.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and Maine Gov. Janet Mills, both Democrats, told CNBC they supported an independent investigation into the allegations against Cuomo. Murphy and Mills did not respond to the Times Union’s inquiries.
The NGA itself did not respond to a request for comment, nor did most of the 50 governors the Times Union contacted. Cuomo’s office also declined to comment.
Cuomo is expected to remain in his role as chair until the NGA’s summer meeting. Each year, a new chair and vice chair are selected; the positions alternate between Democrats and Republicans.
While the NGA chair may issue a few collective statements on issues where governors have bipartisan agreement, the post does not confer any particular power. Although NGA staff offer policy support and other services to governors, the association is not typically a high priority for most state leaders, especially when they’re focused on significant issues at home.
Cuomo made a few brief remarks at last week’s NGA Winter Meeting — held Friday, two days after a former aide published an online essay detailing her harassment allegations — but otherwise kept a fairly low profile, according to a source with knowledge of the event. President Joe Biden addressed the governors at the virtual meeting.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki was asked Tuesday whether Cuomo should retain his NGA leadership role. “That’s a decision for the NGA, not a decision for the president or the White House,” she said. The White House has supported the investigation into the harassment claims and said it will continue to work with New York officials on coronavirus response.
The Republican Governors Association, a separate group dedicated to electing and supporting GOP officials, said leaders should call out Cuomo’s behavior. “The credible allegations of sexual harassment against Gov. Cuomo are reprehensible,” said RGA Spokesman Will Reinert. “This should not be a partisan issue, and governors on both sides of the aisle should demand Andrew Cuomo be held accountable for his disturbing actions against these women.”
The Democratic Governors Association did not respond to a request for comment.
Hutchinson noted that DGA helps choose the NGA chair when it is a Democrat.
“In terms of the NGA, the chairmanship (this year) is in the Democratic governorships, and so they control who represents them,” Hutchinson said. “Although it is the entire NGA, it is selected by the Democrat governors, just like I was put up as vice chair representing the Republican governors.”
Cuomo, 63, has been accused of sexual harassment by three women over the past week, allegations that ranged from unwanted touching and kissing to inappropriate questions to staffer many years his junior. New York Attorney General Letitia James will appoint a special deputy to investigate the claims. Cuomo apologized for his actions Wednesday and said he was embarrassed by the allegations.