As scandals engulf Andrew Cuomo, candidates eye 2022 run for governor

ALBANY, N.Y. – Gov. Andrew Cuomo's political woes over a nursing home scandal and claims he sexually harassed two former aides have sparked renewed interest in something that for many politicians had seemed like an unenviable task: running for governor in 2022.

While Cuomo fights for his political life as the scandals ensnare his administration, several Democrats and Republicans have been contemplating a run for governor next year.

"We are seriously considering it," Rep. Tom Reed, R-N.Y., told the USA TODAY Network last week.

The list of Republicans eyeing a run in 2022also includes Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro, who ran in 2018, and Reps. Lee Zeldin and Elise Stefanik.

There is also a host of Democrats, such as Attorney General Letitia James, outgoing New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and Westchester County Sen. Alessandra Biaggi.

This comes amid questions over whether Cuomo can survive the scandals, then seek a fourth term, which hasn't been achieved in New York since Nelson Rockefeller did so in 1970.

Cuomo is trying to overcome his immediate woes and fend off calls that he resign or face impeachment. Those calls grew over the weekend when a second former aide claimed Cuomo repeatedly made uncomfortable comments to her while she worked in the executive chamber.

In a statement late Sunday, Cuomo said he can be "playful and make jokes that I think are funny," but he apologized if his comments offended anyone.

He acknowledged: "I now understand that my interactions may have been insensitive or too personal and that some of my comments, given my position, made others feel in ways I never intended."

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Cuomo on the ropes

Cuomo's statement Sunday did little to appease critics circling the Democratic governor, who was first elected in 2010.

He was already under pressure after his office was found to have underrepresented COVID-19 nursing home deaths by 50% – the actual figure was about 13,000, which is still slightly lower than most states' COVID-19 deaths.

The Attorney General's Office is investigating the sexual harassment claims, while the U.S. Department of Justice is investigating the state's handling of deaths in nursing homes.

The swift turn for Cuomo came after he gained popularity for his daily COVID-19 briefings in the first months of the pandemic.

Last April, a Siena College poll put Cuomo's job performance rating at a high of 71% positive to 28% negative.

Last week, a Marist College poll showed 49% of New Yorkers approve of the job Cuomo is doing as governor, compared with 44% who say they do not approve.

That was before the latest sexual harassment claims were revealed.

"Should Cuomo decide to seek a fourth term, these results suggest it will be a challenge," Marist College pollster Lee Miringoff said when the poll was released. "That said, his current numbers are comparable to what they were when he faced the voters the last time."

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Cuomo's uncertain future and those who may challenge him

Cuomo has long hinted he would seek a fourth term, eschewing talk last year that he might be interested in joining the Biden administration.

Fourth terms have been difficult to come by: Cuomo's father, Mario, lost a bid for a fourth term as governor in 1994 to little known state Sen. George Pataki, who went on to win three terms but didn't seek a fourth.

If Cuomo is able to finish his term and doesn't seek a fourth, it would set off a free-for-all in both parties among candidates looking to succeed him.

If he does run, a weakened Cuomo would probably draw more challengers than his previous contests.

“Any elected official that does not respond to the mandate of the people deserves a primary, myself included,” Biaggi, whose district covers lower Westchester and the Bronx, told The New York Times last week.

She has been among Cuomo's most vocal critics. Saturday night, after the second aide came forward, Biaggi called for him to resign.

New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams is also a potential Democratic gubernatorial candidate after he ran as Cynthia Nixon's running mate against Cuomo in 2018. Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul could run after winning as Cuomo's running mate in 2018.

Cuomo has easily dispatched his primary opponents, beating Nixon and Zephyr Teachout.

His three victories in the general election against Republicans were decisive, including in 2018 against Molinaro.

Molinaro said he's been asked to consider another run.

"It is exceptionally flattering," he said. "I am considering my options moving forward, but right now my focus is getting this county, and also advocating for New Yorkers, to get through this pandemic."

In a statement, Zeldin's office said supporters want him to run: "The one thing he knows for sure on this is that he’s going to do everything he can to make sure Andrew Cuomo doesn't get a 4th term."

Even in a weakened state, Cuomo could put up a formidable fight if he can survive the tumult. No Republican has won statewide office since Pataki did in 2002, and Democrats hold a two-to-one enrollment advantage over Republicans.

Cuomo's fundraising has been the strongest among governors in the nation, and he had $17 million on hand as of January

"I said to New Yorkers when COVID first started, my only agenda is New York. I'm not running for president, not running for vice president, not going to Washington," Cuomo said on NY1 on Nov. 6. "This is going to be a long road for New Yorkers. I want them to have total trust in what I'm saying. I have no agenda but being New York governor, and I'm going to stay here and finish the job."

More: Nursing home scandal puts dent in Andrew Cuomo's job approval rating

More: A second former aide accuses Gov. Cuomo of sexual harassment

Joseph Spector is the Government and Politics Editor for the USA TODAY Network's Atlantic Group, overseeing coverage in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware. He can be reached at JSPECTOR@Gannett.com or followed on Twitter: @GannettAlbany

This article originally appeared on New York State Team: Andrew Cuomo facing troubles, here's who may run for NY governor