In announcing his resignation Tuesday, Governor Andrew Cuomo said that he was falling on his own sword to help New York state’s government “avoid the distractions” of a potential impeachment over the sexual harassment investigation against him.
Cuomo will hand the reins over to Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul on Aug. 24, making her the first female governor in Empire State history. Despite acting to put a dark chapter of that history behind the state, Cuomo also denied any wrongdoing and apologized for any pain he may have caused, saying during his address from his Midtown office, “I take full responsibility for my actions.”