Andrew Cuomo

Andrew Cuomo was sworn in as the 56th Governor of New York on January 1, 2011. He succeeded David Paterson. Prior to becoming governor, Cuomo served as the New York State Attorney General from 2007 to 2010. As governor, Cuomo prioritized fiscal responsibility, economic development, and social progress. His administration focused on balancing the state budget and passing marriage equality rights.

On November 4, 2014, Andrew Cuomo was re-elected as the Governor of New York for a second term. He defeated his Republican challenger, Rob Astorino, with a substantial majority. In his second term, Cuomo continued to focus on issues such as gun control, minimum wage increases, and infrastructure improvements. His administration also emphasized disaster recovery, especially after the impact of Superstorm Sandy.

On November 6, 2018, Andrew Cuomo won a third term as Governor of New York, defeating Republican candidate Marc Molinaro. Cuomo focused his campaign on progressive values and opposition to the Trump administration. His victories in healthcare, transportation improvements, and environmental policies characterized his third term. He also gained national attention with ambitious proposals like free tuition at state colleges.

On March 1, 2020, New York State confirmed its first case of COVID-19. As Governor, Andrew Cuomo became a prominent figure in the national response to the pandemic. His daily press briefings provided updates on the state's efforts to curb the virus's spread. Cuomo's handling of the pandemic, including implementing lockdowns and coordinating healthcare resources, was both praised and criticized, impacting his political standing.

On January 28, 2021, a report by the New York Attorney General's office found that Andrew Cuomo's administration had underreported COVID-19 nursing home deaths by as much as 50%. This sparked a major controversy, as critics accused Cuomo of a cover-up to protect his political standing. This revelation drastically affected his approval ratings and raised questions about transparency and accountability in his administration.

On February 2, 2021, former aide Lindsey Boylan publicly accused Governor Andrew Cuomo of sexual harassment, marking the start of a series of allegations against him. Multiple women came forward with accusations, leading to investigations and mounting political pressure. Cuomo denied the allegations, but the scandal significantly tarnished his reputation and led to calls for his resignation by members of his own party and others.

On July 23, 2021, an independent investigation led by New York Attorney General Letitia James concluded that Governor Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women, including employees and a state trooper. The investigation's report detailed Cuomo's inappropriate behavior, leading to calls for his resignation from political leaders, including President Joe Biden. Cuomo faced immense pressure as more disturbing details emerged from the report.

On August 10, 2021, Andrew Cuomo announced his resignation as Governor of New York, effective in 14 days. His resignation followed the findings from the Attorney General's investigation that he sexually harassed multiple women. Cuomo stated he did not intend to cause harm but wished to avoid further disruption for the government and the people of New York. Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul succeeded him as governor.

On August 24, 2021, Kathy Hochul was sworn in as the 57th Governor of New York, taking over from Andrew Cuomo, who resigned following sexual harassment allegations. Hochul, who served as Lieutenant Governor under Cuomo, became the first female Governor of New York. Her succession marked a significant transition in New York's political landscape as she promised to address issues like COVID-19 recovery and ethics reform.

In June 2022, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the creation of a new political action committee named 'Citizens for an Accountable Albany'. This move seemed to signify Cuomo's intention to re-enter public life after his resignation. The project's focus was on promoting accountability and transparency in government, reflecting Cuomo's ongoing interest in political affairs despite his earlier controversies and resignation.