Interesting.
Could Cuomo Now Face a Real Political Challenge?
Definitely.
Even if Cuomo faces no major legal consequences as a result of the allegations, the damage from the ongoing scandals weaken the perception that he is a lock for a fourth term in 2022. With the recent cycle of negative press attention against Cuomo, some aspiring gubernatorial candidates, including public advocate Jumaane Williams and a few GOP congressional representatives, have floated the idea of making a run.
Greer, the Fordham professor, says the most interesting potential challenger to watch for could be Attorney General Letitia James. Despite the Governor’s role behind-the-scenes in helping her get elected, James issued a damaging report in January over the Cuomo administration’s handling of the nursing home death data. And with her ongoing investigation into the sexual harassment claims, she could strike another blow against the Governor.
“It sort of sets her up very nicely because the frame would be, ‘Listen, let’s clean up Albany, it's about time,” said Greer. “It’s like, listen, ‘These men are running rampant. Our politics are a mess. Let’s actually get a new way of thinking, new blood in these calcified offices, so we can actually have people doing the work.”
A spokesperson for Attorney General James declined to comment on speculation about a gubernatorial bid.
Kaehny, Executive Director of Reinvent Albany, points out that at this stage Cuomo’s allies in labor and major industries, like real estate and hospitals, have stuck with him. “When he loses their support, it doesn’t matter what the law says. He’s not gonna be able to govern,” he said. “You’ll know when that day comes when all of a sudden you start seeing surrogates and spokespeople for those groups starting to be more critical of the governor, which has not happened yet.”
Greer agreed that none of Cuomo’s adversaries should be taking a victory lap. “There’s no person that understands New York state better than Andrew Cuomo. What would take you and I several hours to... map out, Andrew Cuomo has mapped out seventeen million ways over the past forty years,” she said. “If we’re thinking about it, Andrew Cuomo has already thought about it.”
Spokespersons for the Cuomo administration did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
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