NEW YORK — Andrea Stewart-Cousins is about to make history as New York’s first Black woman lieutenant governor.
Stewart-Cousins will step into the role of acting lieutenant governor in two weeks after current Governor Andrew Cuomo resigns.
Last week, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced that an independent investigation into allegations against Cuomo found that he sexually harassed 11 women.
“This is a sad day for New York because independent investigators have concluded that Governor Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women and, in doing so, broke the law,” said James at a news conference. “I am grateful to all the women who came forward to tell their stories in painstaking detail, enabling investigators to get to the truth. No man — no matter how powerful — can be allowed to harass women or violate our human rights laws, period.”
Following Tuesday’s resignation, Stewart-Cousins issued a statement:
“Today is a somber day for New York, but one that demonstrates out ability to build a more accountable system,” the statement reads in part. “Governor Cuomo’s resignation opens the door to a restorative future. We all owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the courageous women who came forward and helped pave the way for safer and more inclusive work spaces.”
Stewart-Cousins called for Cuomo’s resignation back in March, naming allegations of sexual misconduct, a toxic work environment and the state’s handling of COVID-19 in nursing homes as reasons for significant “distraction” for the governor.
“New York is still in the midst of this pandemic and is still facing the societal, health and economic impacts of it. We need to govern without daily distraction. For the good of the state Gov. Cuomo must resign,” she said at the time.
Just hours before her statement, Hours earlier, Cuomo declared that he would remain in office pending the outcome of an investigation.
