New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) is refusing to accede to demands that he resign, following at least six allegations of unwanted sexual advances and growing pressure to answer for an alleged coverup of the number of COVID-19-related deaths in New Yorks nursing homes.

The premise of resigning because of allegations is actually antidemocratic, he told reporters on a conference call on Sunday.

Cuomo is instead insisting that the public wait to learn the findings of New York Attorney General Letitia James independent investigation into the sexual misconduct allegations against him.

But in the past, Cuomo has proven less accommodating to other elected officials facing allegations of sexual impropriety or other misdeeds.

Ralph Northam

In February 2019, NPR asked Cuomo whether Gov. Ralph Northam of Virginia, a fellow Democrat, should resign.

Days earlier, a photo from Northams medical school yearbook showed a man resembling Northam dressed in blackface. Northam eventually denied that he was the man in the photo but admitted that he had worn blackface on another occasion and apologized.

Cuomo was unequivocal in his belief that Northam should resign, regardless of the merit of the allegations against the Virginia governor.

To govern, you need the confidence and support of the people, otherwise you cant do your job, Cuomo said. And I dont see how he can actually do his job given the situation that hes in.

Being governor is not just having the title, he continued. Its having the trust and the confidence of the people. And I dont I think hes lost that.

Northam refused to resign and is expected to complete his four-year term at the end of this year.