ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Former Lieutenant Governor Bob Duffy shared his thoughts on Governor Andrew Cuomo’s resignation, standing by his comments that he was unware of the behavior happening in the governor’s office.

Duffy worked as lieutenant governor during Cuomo's first term.


What You Need To Know

  • Former Lieutenant Governor Bob Duffy speaks out on Cuomo resignation

  • Duffy said he was unware of the behavior happening in the governor’s office

  • He is confident Kathy Hochul can step into office, and says she is prepared and poised

  • Duffy calls for bipartisan teamwork and collaboration in Albany over next 14 days

Duffy, now president of the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce, spoke with reporters over Zoom after Cuomo stepped down. 

“I do agree 100% with governor’s decision to announce his resignation," Duffy said. "To me, it is about taking responsibility, but also about preventing any further harm from happening and stopping the hornets’ nest of issues going on.”

As another lieutenant governor, Kathy Hochul, prepares to step into the role of governor, Duffy offered nothing but support for her, saying Hochul is people oriented and understands what residents need.

“People want normalcy and Kathy will bring that,” Duffy explained. “To get beyond all the scandals and issues and get to a point of governing and doing people's business.”

In two weeks, Hochul will become the first female governor of New York and the first governor from Upstate New York in more than a century.

The latter is something important to Duffy.

“We have different needs here, much more Midwestern culture,” Duffy said. “To have someone who is born and raised in Buffalo and Western New York, who has represented upstate region in local government on the ground and in Congress, I think she is prepared and poised for this.”

As we wait to see what plays out over the next 14 days, Duffy wants bipartisan teamwork and collaboration in Albany, and is confident Hochul can bring stability back to the office.