Andrea Stewart-Cousins, the top Democratic leader in the New York state Senate, called on Sunday for Gov. Andrew Cuomo to resign, saying he should do so from the good of the state.

The resignation call comes after two more women allege the governor engaged in inappropriate behavior in published reports on Saturday. Stewart-Cousins had previously said in a Capital Tonight interview last week an additional allegation leveled against the governor would tip her toward backing calls for him to step down.

“Everyday there is another account that is drawing away from the business of government,” she said. “We have allegations about sexual harassment, a toxic work environment, the loss of credibility surrounding the Covid-19 nursing home data and questions about the construction of a major infrastructure project.”

New York is still in the midst of this pandemic and is still facing the societal, health and economic impacts of it. We need to govern without daily distraction. For the good of the state Governor Cuomo must resign.”

Stewart-Cousins’s call for his resignation will carry shockwaves through state government. She is deeply respected by Democrats in the establishment and progressive wings of the party in New York.

Just prior to her announcement, Governor Andrew Cuomo reiterated Sunday that he’s not going to resign because of allegations.

“There are some legislators who suggest I resign,” Cuomo said. “I’m not going to resign because of allegations.”

The governor says the premise of resigning because of allegations is actually “undemocratic.”

“The system is based on due process and the credibility of the allegation,” Cuomo said.

Cuomo noted Sen. Schumer and the White House have signaled a willingness to wait for the outcome of an investigation overseen by the state attorney general.

“There is no way I resign,” he said. “Let’s do the attorney general, let’s get the findings and go from there.”

Cuomo said he would sign the bill that curbs his emergency pandemic authority.

“I’m signing today the Legislature’s emergency powers bill and I’m going to implement it today with a significant change,” Cuomo said.

A protest is expected to happen Sunday outside Governor Andrew Cuomo’s office calling for his resignation amid sexual harassment allegations against him.

On Saturday, two more women and men came forward, accusing the governor of inappropriate behavior.

There are now a total of seven accusers pointing to Cuomo’s inappropriate behavior.

The Washington Post is also quoting two former male aides who accuse Cuomo of abusive behavior and foul language.

(AP)