Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.) speaks during a press conference alongside House Republicans on Capitol Hill on Oct. 23, 2019. (Alex Wroblewski/Getty Images) NY Politics

As Cuomo’s Troubles Mount, US Representatives Consider a Run to Replace Him

By Masooma Haq March 3, 2021 Updated: March 3, 2021 biggersmallerPrint

As New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s troubles mount with increased scrutiny over his handling of the pandemic-related nursing home deaths and sexual harassment allegations, some New York Congress members are saying they will consider running against Cuomo in 2022.

Reps. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.) and Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) both indicated that they will consider a run against Cuomo, with Zeldin moving forward by making a statement on Twitter about his intention.

“With his nursing home cover-up and abuse coming more to light, it’s clear #CuomosGottoGo. As a NYer, I can’t sit back as Cuomo attacks our freedoms, our wallets, and our safety. After many msgs of encouragement and discussing w/my fam., I’m actively exploring a 2022 run for Gov of NY,” wrote Zeldin.

Zeldin, who served in the U.S. Army prior to becoming a Congressman for his state in 2010, called on his fellow New Yorkers to insist that there be an investigation into the allegations against Cuomo.

“Cuomo is using his office and power to abuse NYers. He’ll never accept responsibility, so it’s up to all of us to stand up and hold him accountable. NYers must speak out on the allegations and make our voices heard,” said Zeldin on March 1.

Cuomo has drawn criticism from both Democrats and Republicans in his state, after a New York Post report revealed that one of his top aides, Melissa DeRosa, told lawmakers in a private setting that Cuomo’s administration had withheld how many nursing home residents died from the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus because they feared the numbers would “be used against us” by the Trump administration.

For his part, Cuomo has fiercely defended his state’s response to the crisis, referring to some of the allegations against him as “misinformation” and “lies.”

“I’m not going to let you hurt New Yorkers by lying about what happened surrounding the death of a loved one,” Cuomo said during a news conference in Albany on Friday. “So I’m going to take on the lies and the unscrupulous actors, especially when they cause pain and damage to New York.”

Meanwhile Stefanik, who has called on the governor to resign, told the “Ruthless” podcast Tuesday that although her intention is to run for reelection in the House, that could change and she may make a run for governor of New York.

Stefanik is serving her fourth term as a representative and has been helping to grow the House majority as the National Republican Congressional Committee’s head of recruitment for the last election cycle.

“This governor should resign. If he does not resign, there is a path for a Republican to win statewide in New York,” Stefanik said.

“I’m calling for him to resign. I want to see that happen,” she added. “I again am planning on running for the House, but these dynamics as you know change very quickly.”

In addition to the nursing home death scandal plaguing the governor, three women have come forward with sexual harassment allegations against him.

A growing number of New York state lawmakers have also called for the governor’s resignation and an investigation into the women’s allegations.

In a statement to The Epoch Times on Feb. 24, the Democratic governor’s office said that the “claims of inappropriate behavior are quite simply false.”

Jack Phillips contributed to this report