New Yorkers not convinced governor Andrew Cuomo should step down amid sexual harassment claims

Half of New Yorkers say Andrew Cuomo should not resign amid increasing calls from top state officials to step down amid sexual harassment claims.

A new poll from Siena College Research Institute released on Monday found 50 per cent think he shouldn't resign compared to 35 per cent who think he should. More than a third of voters, 35 per cent, believe he committed sexual harassment while 24 per cent believe he had not.

The poll was conducted in the second week of March, before some of the latest allegations came to light and New York senators Chuck Schumer and Kristen Gillibrand joined calls for his removal in recent days.

“Voters appear to be able to compartmentalise how they feel about Cuomo,” Siena spokesperson Steve Greenberg said in a statement to Politico. “While their views on him generally – favourability, job performance, re-elect – took a significant hit this month, voters’ views on Cuomo’s handling of the pandemic remain largely positive, except for his handling of nursing home death data.”

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The White House also appears willing to maintain a working relationship with Mr Cuomo, with press secretary Jen Psaki saying on Monday that Joe Biden will continue to work with the governor amid the "troubling" allegations.

Asked if the president was comfortable with Mr Cuomo leading the White House pandemic calls as chair of the National Governors Association, Ms Psaki said it's up to the Biden administration whether Mr Cuomo continues in the role.

New York’s Covid vaccine czar Larry Schwartz has reportedly asked county officials to affirm their loyalty for the beleaguered governor during the sexual harassment investigation.

"It would be up to the NGA (National Governor's Association) to determine if they were to make a change on that front, it's also up to the legislature and others in New York to determine if he still has the confidence of the people in the state," Ms Psaki said.

According to the latest poll, Mr Cuomo has the confidence of 57 per cent of New Yorkers surveyed who are satisfied with the way he has handled the allegations, compared to 32 per cent who say they are not satisfied

Despite the vote of confidence, the governor's overall approval has fallen from its highs during the pandemic. Only 43 per cent view him favourably compared to 45 per cent who view him unfavourably.

Mr Cuomo has repeatedly denied any allegations of wrongdoing and has apologised for any comments that made women feel uncomfortable. He is cooperating with investigations by the state's attorney general Letitia James.

At a press conference last week, Mr Cuomo rejected calls to resign and said Democratic colleagues demanding he step down were "reckless" and that New Yorkers know the difference between the truth and "bowing to cancel culture".

"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,” he said.