The governor makes a stunning exit

Jerry Kremer

The New York state political scene has been turned upside down with the resignation of Gov. Andrew Cuomo. No political wizard could have predicted that he would give up this job after so many years of tight control over the Democratic Party structure. But today’s politics is no longer two plus two, and Cuomo’s resignation proves that. New Yorkers will be meeting someone new when Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul takes office, and any pundit who predicts she will be a pushover may be mistaken.

But it’s worth reflecting on why Cuomo suddenly agreed to quit.

I served in the State Legislature under three governors, and have been a friend of two others. No governor in my lifetime was ever as dominant a figure as Cuomo has been. He has been a master fundraiser, and has pushed through programs and projects that no other governor would be willing to take on. To his credit, he has been a master builder in the style of the late Robert Moses, pushing and pushing to get mega projects started and completed.

His record of accomplishment to date includes rebuilding La Guardia Airport, the completion of the Moynihan Train Hall, the construction of the Belmont Arena, passage of the Long Island Rail Road Third Track project, completion of the Second Avenue subway and numerous other projects, which everyone said would never happen. Cuomo has been tenacious and determined to see these projects completed, often under budget.

Because he has always been a lone wolf, there is one political skill he failed to master: cultivating new friends and supporters. It’s no secret that the leaders of the State Senate and Assembly consider themselves the most important people in the state. But because Cuomo has held an iron grip over the two houses, the Senate and Assembly leaders have begrudgingly deferred to him on numerous issues. The recently approved legalization of cannabis is an example of a proposal that passed this year only because the governor was in a weakened position.

There will be plenty of speculation about why he chose to resign, but it was clear that the Assembly would be preparing articles of impeachment, and many of the charges would have related to more than just sexual harassment. The Judiciary Committee was focusing on Cuomo’s involvement in the nursing home coronavirus fiasco and his $5 million book deal. A deep dive into both of those controversies might have found some criminal element, which is enough to make any politician afraid. Resigning on the eve of a Judiciary Committee report would have been an admission of guilt, so that was clearly a factor in the governor’s announcement.

With his strong personality, Cuomo appeared willing to hang on to the bitter end. But the thought of a public vote to impeach in the Assembly, followed by a trial in the Senate, had to make him, as would any mortal, think twice about whether it was worth it to keep battling. Thirteen years ago, faced with a likely public rebuke, Gov. Elliot Spitzer resigned from office 48 hours after allegations surfaced about his personal conduct. Spitzer was motivated, no doubt, by the fact that he had a wife and daughters to protect. Cuomo has three daughters and many family members, and that had to be a factor in his thinking.

Now the state Democratic Party has serious decisions to make. Many prominent figures are expected to come forward as the 2022 election nears, looking for the chance to be the party’s candidate. Attorney General Letitia James and State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli would head that list. But DiNapoli has expressed no interest in being governor, and James may decide to run again for her current position. Other names are surfacing, including former Sen. Hillary Clinton, U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi and Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone.

The next few months will decide what direction Democrats take as they look to next year. Obviously, the party will want a solid Democratic successor to Cuomo. One person who shouldn’t be underestimated is Hochul herself. She has traveled to all 62 of the state’s counties each year, and is well regarded by party leaders. Being the first woman governor in the state’s history will give her special status, and perhaps unique appeal to voters.

Had you predicted all this would happen six months ago, you would have been laughed at. But that’s politics New York style.

Jerry Kremer was a state assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He now heads Empire Government Strategies, a business development and legislative strategy firm. Comments about this column? JKremer@liherald.com.