Andrew M. Cuomo

Andrew M. Cuomo
New York National Guard · CC BY 2.0 · source
Name	Andrew M. Cuomo
Birth date	November 6, 1957
Birth place	Queens, New York City
Nationality	United States
Alma mater	Princeton University, Fordham University School of Law
Occupation	Lawyer, politician, author
Party	Democratic Party
Offices	Attorney General of New York; Governor of New York

Andrew M. Cuomo (born November 6, 1957) is an American lawyer and politician who served as the 56th Governor of New York from 2011 to 2021 and as Attorney General of New York from 2007 to 2010. He previously held positions in the administrations of Jimmy Carter appointee HUD-related programs and as an advisor in the Bill Clinton era; he is the son of former New York Governor Mario Cuomo and brother of Chris Cuomo. Cuomo's tenure encompassed major initiatives on infrastructure, public health, and ethics as well as controversies that culminated in his resignation.

Early life and education

Cuomo was born in Queens, New York City to Mario Cuomo and Matilda Raffa Cuomo, and raised in Hicksville, New York and Queens. He attended St. John's University-affiliated schools and graduated from Princeton University with a Bachelor of Arts; his senior thesis examined public policy topics influenced by his father's career in New York politics. Cuomo obtained a Juris Doctor from Fordham University School of Law and later clerked and practiced law in firms and public agencies associated with housing and urban development, including connections to HUD initiatives and state-level legal offices.

Legal and public service career

Cuomo's early career included roles with HUD during the administration of President Jimmy Carter and positions in the Department of Housing and Urban Development regional initiatives, followed by private practice and teaching. He served as Secretary of the New York Department of Housing and Community Renewal under Governor Mario Cuomo's administration and worked with nonprofit organizations such as Catholic Charities USA and legal clinics addressing urban policy. Cuomo held advisory roles for President Bill Clinton-era task forces and participated in statewide reform efforts involving the New York State Legislature and New York Court of Appeals-related policy discussions.

Tenure as New York Attorney General

Elected Attorney General of New York in 2006, Cuomo led investigations and lawsuits involving financial firms like Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Lehman Brothers affiliates connected to the 2008 financial crisis, and pursued civil cases against corporate actors including Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley. He sued The New York Times-related entities in separate disputes over reporting practices and brought actions against high-profile figures such as Eliot Spitzer-era targets and public authorities including the MTA. Cuomo negotiated settlements addressing foreclosure practices, mortgage servicing with entities such as JPMorgan Chase and Citigroup, and advocated for consumer protections through legislation in the New York State Assembly and enforcement actions coordinated with the United States Department of Justice.

Governorship (2011–2021)

Cuomo was elected Governor of New York in 2010, defeating Carl Paladino, and re-elected in 2014 and 2018, governing through interactions with the New York State Legislature, New York City Mayors including Michael Bloomberg, Bill de Blasio, and regional leaders such as Andrew Yang-era activists. His administration advanced infrastructure projects like the Tappan Zee Bridge replacement (the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge), the redevelopment of LaGuardia Airport and JFK Airport, and transit initiatives involving the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). Cuomo championed policy reforms including same-sex marriage in coordination with advocates such as Lambda Legal and political figures including Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, and signed laws on ethics and criminal justice changes with input from the New York State Bar Association and civil rights organizations like the ACLU.

COVID-19 pandemic response

During the COVID-19 pandemic Cuomo implemented statewide emergency measures, issuing executive orders in concert with public health officials like the New York State Department of Health leadership and collaborating with federal entities including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He oversaw the conversion of facilities such as the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and coordinated with hospital systems like NYU Langone Health and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. The administration's policies on nursing homes drew scrutiny from federal investigators including the United States Department of Justice and reporting by outlets like The New York Times and The Washington Post, while Cuomo received awards from organizations such as Time (magazine) for crisis leadership even as disputes with the Trump administration arose over supply chains and emergency funding.

Sexual harassment allegations and resignation

From 2018 onward, Cuomo faced investigations and allegations by former aides and state employees, including complaints investigated by the New York Attorney General's Office and ethics panels such as the New York State Commission on Ethics. State investigations by officials including Letitia James led to findings that prompted legislative actions in the New York State Assembly and calls for impeachment by figures including Nancy Pelosi-aligned Democrats and other lawmakers. Multiple media organizations including The New York Times, CNN, and The Washington Post reported on allegations from individuals such as former aide Lindsey Boylan and others. Facing mounting pressure from party leaders like Chuck Schumer and governors including Andrew M. Cuomo's contemporaries, Cuomo announced his resignation in 2021 and left office amid concurrent federal and state inquiries.

Later activities and legacy

After leaving office, Cuomo wrote and lectured on public policy and authored works reflecting on crises comparable to those studied by academics at institutions such as Columbia University and Harvard Kennedy School. His legacy is contested: supporters cite infrastructure projects and the early pandemic leadership praised by outlets like The New Yorker and Time (magazine), while critics emphasize the findings of state reports and media investigations. Discussions of Cuomo's impact involve scholars and commentators from Brookings Institution, The Century Foundation, and legal analysts formerly affiliated with the American Civil Liberties Union and bar associations, and his career remains a subject of study in political science programs at universities including Princeton University and Columbia University.

Category:Governors of New York Category:American lawyers Category:1957 births Category:Living people