New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo Resigns

August 11, 2021

By: Hermes Fernandez and

On Tuesday, August 10, Gov. Andrew Cuomo notified the people of New York that he would be resigning as governor, effective August 24, 2021. This resignation follows the publication last week of the report by the Attorney General of sexual harassment allegations surrounding the governor. 

Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul of Buffalo will be the 57th governor of New York and will assume office on August 24, 2021, becoming the first woman to assume the office. She will also be the first governor to serve from Upstate New York in 99 years. Ms. Hochul has been involved in New York politics for decades, serving as the Erie County Clerk and in the House of Representatives. 

Because of the change in administration, all executive orders issued by Gov. Cuomo will no longer be in effect as soon as he leaves office. It will be up to the new governor regarding which executive orders she reissues. Capitol watchers are speculating on who will leave with the change in administration (though not necessarily because they have been caught up in the scandal). Expect Department of Financial Services Superintendent Linda Lacewell to be among the departing. 

If you have questions for our Government Relations team, please contact Hermes Fernandez, Caitlin Anderson or the attorney at the firm with whom you are regularly in contact.