'I won't resign': Cuomo refuses to quit after AOC and Jerry Nadler lead 13 Congressional Dems calling for his head amid sex pest and nursing home scandals

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New York Governor Andrew Cuomo refused to resign on Friday despite 14 of the state's 19 congressional Democrats demanding he step aside and 30 more women alleging bullying and harassment in his office.

Those added to the allegations of sexual misconduct made by seven women - most of whom are former aides - against the governor in the past weeks. 

New York representatives Jerry Nadler and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez were among the powerful state Democrats demanding his resignation Friday morning amid the sexual harassment claims and the nursing home scandal. 

Nadler claimed that Cuomo had 'lost the confidence of the people of New York' in a statement issued Friday as part of the coordinated effort by the state's congressional delegation. 

The twelve representatives who issued statements on Friday joined with Rep. Kathleen Rice of Long Island, who has been calling for Cuomo to step down since last week.  

Shortly after the representatives issued their statements, State Senator Mike Gianaris revealed that the entire Democratic state senate delegation had also now agreed that Cuomo should resign. 

However, Cuomo claimed that he won't bow to 'cancel culture', despite a seventh accuser coming forward and calls to quit from Democrats making it appear that his position is untenable.  

New York representatives Jerry Nadler and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Friday issued statements demanding governor Andrew Cuomo to resign amid sexual harassment claims

It comes after 59 Democrats in the state legislature on Thursday signed a statement demanding Gov Cuomo (pictured above) resign

Nadler claimed Cuomo had 'lost the confidence of the people of New York' in his statement issued as part of the coordinated effort by the state's congressional delegation

AOC also released a statement to Twitter alongside Rep Jamaal Bowman

Cuomo blasted the politicians calling for him to resign as 'reckless and dangerous' and questioned the motives of the women who have made claims against him. 

Ordinarily, the governor's televised press briefings run for over an hour, with at least 30 minutes of questions. Today's call was less than 30 minutes in total, including questions.

What happens if Gov. Andrew Cuomo resigns from office? 

If Cuomo resigns Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul (pictured) would take over

As of Friday afternoon, 14 out of 19 of New York's congressional Democrats have called for Governor Andrew Cuomo's resignation.

They are joined by all Democrats in the NY State Senate and by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. 

Cuomo on Friday refused to accept that he should resign despite the mounting pressure.

If he resigns Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul would take over. 

She would finish Cuomo’s term until the next scheduled gubernatorial election in 2022. 

Hochul is a Democrat who has served since 2015 and was a NY representative for New York's 26th congressional district from 2011 to 2013.

She backed an investigation into allegations against Cuomo last month. 

'Everyone deserves to have their voice heard and to be taken seriously. I support an independent review,' she said. 

The last time a governor resigned was in early 2008. 

Gov. Eliot Spitzer left office after he admitted to having extramarital affairs with sex workers. 

When Spitzer stepped down, Lieutenant Governor David Paterson took over until 2010. 

Cuomo, then Attorney General, won that election to take over from Paterson. 

To date, a lieutenant governor has stepped in to carry out a gubernatorial term in New York on eight occassions, the first one taking place in 1817. 

LG Hochul would also take over if Cuomo is impeached.  

New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie authorized its Judiciary Committee to start an impeachment investigation into Cuomo Thursday. 

The last time a NY governor was impeached was in 1913. 

The process in New York is very similar to the impeachment procedure in Congress. 

A simple majority in the state Assembly is required to impeach a governor. 

It then goes to the state impeachment court. 

A two-thirds majority of the state Senate and the justices of the New York Court of Appeals would be required to convict Cuomo and remove him from office. 

The lieutenant governor takes over as acting governor while the trial plays out.

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With a sprawling coalition of congressional leaders joining dozens of state lawmakers in calling for the embattled governor to step down, the Democrat hit back. 

Cuomo accused those who are calling for him to step down of 'playing politics', and said that as a former Attorney General, he knows that people 'allege all sorts of things, for all sorts of reasons.'

'Women have a right to come forward and be heard and I encourage that but I also want to be clear - there is still a question of the truth.

'I did not do what has been alleged. Period. I won’t speculate about people's possible motives, but I can tell you as a former Attorney General, who's gone through this situation many times, there are often many motivations for making an allegation.

'That is why you need to know the facts before you make a decision.'

He did not mention any politicians by name, but went on: 'Politicians who don't know a single fact but yet form a conclusion and an opinion are in my opinion reckless and dangerous.'

'The people of New York should not have confidence in a politician who takes a position without knowing any facts or substance that my friends is politics at its worst

'Politicians take positions for all sorts of reasons including political expediency and bowing to pressure.

'People know the different between playing politics, bowing to cancel culture and the truth...let the review proceed.

'I am not going to resign. I was not elected by the politicians. I was elected by the people - part of this is that i am not part of the political club and you know what, I'm proud of it.

'This is all I am going to say on this topic at this time.'    

He went on to make his case for why he should stay in office, insisting he was the man for the job because he’d been in the public eye ‘his entire life’ as the son of former NY Governor Mario Cuomo.

'The people have known me for 40 years; elected me AG, governor 3 times, I've been in the public eye my entire life.

'My entire life, I have been under public scrutiny since I was 23. New Yorkers know me.. I am going to focus on my job because we have real challenges. People who say avoid distractions. I am going to avoid distractions and focus on my job - I have to rebuild the state.'

During questions, Cuomo insisted again - as he did last week - that he never touched anyone inappropriately but accepted that he may have felt people feel 'uncomfortable' while taking photographs with them.

'I never harassed anyone, abused anyone, assaulted anyone and I never would. Is it possible that I have taken a picture with a person who after the fact, says they were uncomfortable with the pose? Yes.

'That is what you're hearing about. I have taken thousands of pictures. I never meant to make anyone feel awkward.. there re times when I can feel they are stand-offish and I respect that.

'I apologized for people who I have taken pictures with and who after the fact said they were uncomfortable.'

He went on to say he was the 'best' person to lead New York out of a period of crisis because he has been in the public eye 'his entire life' and that he will carry on focusing on the 'job' at hand. 

'I have a job to do. This is the most critical time in the state's history. Everything I have learned, I am bringing to the table at this moment.' 

Cuomo also seemed to suggest that he'd had consensual sexual relationships with some of the women after emphatically denying that he had 'abused, harassed or assaulted' any of them.

A reporter asked if any of his interactions with the women had been, in his view, consensual.

He responded: 'Look... my statement could not be clearer. I never harassed anyone, assaulted anyone, I never abused anyone.'

At the end of the call, he said: 'What is being alleged just did not happen.

'The last allegation is not true and I have not had a sexual relationship that was inappropriate period. OK. Thank you,' before hanging up. 

Cuomo's growing list of detractors now covers virtually every region in the state and the political power centers of New York City and Washington. 

His allies insist he will not resign, but as allegations of sexual harassment grow, his political isolation has reached unprecedented levels. 

New York Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gilibrand, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have not yet called for him to quit but have voiced support for the accusers and an investigation into the claims being led by state Attorney General Letitia James. 

Schumer, however, did take a swipe at Cuomo as he appeared at Mayor de Blasio's press conference on Thursday and claimed that he was giving billion of dollars for new vaccine sites straight to New York City as the Big Apple sometimes doesn't see funds it's sent through the state legislature in Albany. 

Other Republicans in New York's Congressional delegation previously called for Cuomo's resignation, including Nicole Malliotakis, Elise Stefanik, Claudia Tenney and Lee Zeldin.  

Nadler, the House Judiciary Committee Chairman, claimed that the allegations made by then-six women against the governor have 'made it impossible for him to continue to govern at this point'. 

'The bravery individuals have shown in coming forward to share their experiences with Governor Cuomo is inspiring, and I stand with them in support,' Nadler, one of the highest-ranking members of Congress, added in a statement posted to Twitter. 

'Governor Cuomo has lost the confidence of the people of New York. Governor Cuomo must resign.'

protestor sits outside the New York State Capitol on Friday, following allegations that New York Governor Andrew Cuomo had sexually harassed young women

A group also gathered to protest over the nursing home COVID scandal (pictured)

Democratic Representatives from New York, Grace Meng, Carolyn Maloney, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Nydia M. Velázques, and Yvette Clarke who all issued statements Friday

AOC also released a statement to Twitter alongside Rep Jamaal Bowman, another member of the party's left-wing, in which they referenced both the harassment allegations and the nursing home COVID-19 deaths scandal. 

'This week, the second sexual assault allegation and the sixth harassment allegation was leveled against Governor Cuomo,' Ocasio-Cortez and Bowman said. 

'The fact that this latest report was so recent is alarming, and it raises concerns about the present safety and well-being of the administration's staff. These allegations have all been consistent and highly-detailed, and there are also credible media reports substantiating their accounts.' 

'After two accounts of sexual assault, four accounts of harassment, the Attorney General's investigation finding the Governor's admin hid nursing home data from the legislature & public, we agree with the 55+ members of the New York State legislature that the Governor must resign,' AOC added in a tweet. 

It was the sharpest rebuke yet for the governor from inside his own party, where just a year ago he was being praised as a star for his response to the coronavirus pandemic. 

The New York Democrats who spoke out on Friday had previously said the supported AG James' investigation but shifted their position as more women came forward this week.  

The statements were made just as news broke about the allegations made by 30 women who spoke to New York Magazine about their experience with Cuomo and his administration. 

Rep. Adriano Espaillat, Rep. Carolyn Maloney, and Rep. Nydia Velazquez (pictured left to right above) all issued statements demanding Cuomo resign on Friday morning

Rep. Grace Meng, D-N.Y., speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill

Rep. Mondaire Jones, Rep. Jamaal Bowman  and Rep. Yvette Clarke also issued statements

State legislator Alessandra Biaggi has been vocal in her criticism of Cuomo since the allegations emerged and has said that his office and approach to politics is abusive. 

She has now claimed that the governor kissed her head in front on her fiance twice when they met at a wedding after she left his office. 

She claims Cuomo asked 'are you jealous?' while looking at her fiance. 

'I didn't feel sexually harassed. I felt like he was trying to make me feel uncomfortable, to disarm me,' Biaggi claimed. 

It tied with reports from other women of bullying in his office, which led to multiple aides beginning to take anti-depressants and go to therapy for the first time in their lives while working there. 

Ana Liss, a former Cuomo aide (pictured above), was among the ex-staff to speak out on Friday about the impact working in Cuomo's office had on her mental health

His fourth accuser Ana Liss told New York that she 'started pursuing mental-health services when I was there because I thought I was going crazy'. 

'My parents thought I was going nuts. I was angry and crying all the time, and I went on Lexapro.'

She had previously told the Wall Street Journal that she had started drinking heavily there before asking to be above to be moved to another office. 

Other women reiterated previous claims that they were expected to wear nice dresses and high heels in the office, with some saying they were contacted about interviewing for the governor's administration after he met them at parties. 

'We all knew that this was only because of what I looked like,' one former aide known only as Kaitlin said of her call. 'Why else would you ask someone to come in two days after you had a two-minute interaction at a party?'

Cuomo was also accused of 'racialized abuse' by Camonghne Felix, a black speech writer. 

She told New York that she eventually moved to the press team when she accepted he was never going to use her speeches. 

'It's a very subtle form of racialized abuse,' she said. 'You know I am beneficial to you. I fill a quota. It looks good on paper, and we made sure to put press releases out. But you don't intend to incorporate me into the government. You just like to show me to people.' 

As well as AOC, Nadler and Bowman, Reps. Mondaire Jones, Yvette Clarke, Adriano Espaillat, Carolyn Maloney, Grace Meng, Nydia M. Velázques, Sean Patrick Maloney, Antonio Delgado and Brian Higgins all issued similar statements at the same time. 

'I support those who spoke out about their stories and admire their courage. Thanks to the #MeToo and Time's Up movements, women are emboldened to step forward,' Congresswoman Maloney wrote in her statement Friday. 

'I join with Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins, my colleagues, and others who have called on Governor Cuomo to resign in the best interest of all New Yorkers.

'We have come a long way, but now is the time to finally ensure that this generation's courage stops harassment once and for all.' 

Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney joined the pack calling for resignation on Friday

Rep. Antonio Delgado (left) and Rep. Brian Higgins (right) also issued a statement

Rep. Kathleen Rice was the first to call for Cuomo to resign last week

Congresswoman Clarke said in her statement that she is now 'in favor of a more expedited call to action' regarding Cuomo. 

'These allegations have reached a level that I believe impedes the Governor's ability to serve the people of New York State to the best of his abilities,' Clarke said. 

'I remain confident that Attorney General Tish James has the resources, prowess, and ability to conduct a comprehensive and determinative report. However, I must join my colleagues in calling for Governor Andrew Cuomo to step down.' 

President Joe Biden has also not said that he believes the governor, a long-time friend and ally, should step aside. Vice President Kamala Harris has also not commented.  

Biden has, however, voiced his support for Cuomo's seven accusers. 

'The president has known him a long time but that doesn't matter in this scenario,' White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said on Good Morning America on Friday. 

'I would say the president, VP, we all believe that every one of these women coming forward should be treated with respect, should have her voice heard.

'It's heard for me as a woman to read a lot of these stories and sometimes we wake up and there's a new one, but we believe there there in an independent investigation that's ongoing, led by the attorney general with subpoena power and we certainly support that moving forward,' Psaki added.

Along with an allegation that the governor groped a female aide at the Executive Mansion last year, Cuomo is facing allegations of sexually suggestive remarks and behavior toward women, including female aides. 

One aide, 25-year-old Charlotte Bennett said he asked her if she would ever have sex with an older man. 

And another former aide Lindsey Boylan claimed the governor once kissed her without consent, and said governor's aides publicly smeared her after she accused him of sexual harassment. 

On Friday, his seventh accuser emerged. Reporter Jessica Bakeman detailed in New YorK Magazine that she was sexually harassed by Cuomo on several occassions since the start of her journalism career in 2012.

The new calls for his resignation come a day after New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said he had authorized its Judiciary Committee to start an impeachment investigation into sexual misconduct allegations that six women have made against Cuomo.

The panel's investigation will run parallel to one being led by AG Letitia James.

Cuomo has asked the public to await the results of that investigation before making judgment.

The third-term governor, who took office in 2011, has pointed to his reelections as indication of strong statewide support, which was bolstered last year amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 

He also touted his administration´s passage of liberal goals such as same-sex marriage as evidence that his hard-nosed approach to politics works.