State Sen. Alessandra Biaggi formally rescinded her support of mayoral candidate, City Comptroller Scott Stringer, on Friday evening, April 30. It followed her earlier public statements released on social media on Thursday, where she stopped short of formally withdrawing her backing of the candidate, who has been accused of alleged sexual misconduct by a former staffer. Stringer denies the allegations.

 

Along with U.S. Representative Jamaal Bowman, who represents the 16th congressional district covering parts of the Bronx and Westchester, State Sen. Gustavo Rivera who represents parts of the Bronx, Assembly Member Yuh-Line Niou who represents parts of Manhattan and Governors Island, Assembly Member Catalina Cruz who both represent parts of Queens, and State Sen. Julia Salazar who also represents parts of Brooklyn, the senator who, herself, represents parts of The Bronx and Westchester counties, in the 34th senatorial district, issued a very brief joint statement on Friday, saying simply, “We are rescinding our endorsement of Scott Stringer’s mayoral campaign.”

 

As we previously reported, Biaggi had been a strong supporter of Stringer, and had campaigned with him last September in the Riverdale section of The Bronx. The allegations against the comptroller were detailed in a report on April 29 by The New York Times, and were first reported on April 28, by the Gothamist.

As reported by Norwood News, some public and elected officials, who had previously endorsed Stringer formally withdrew their support on Thursday, while some fellow mayoral candidates called for Stringer to step down, including Maya Wiley, Kathryn Garcia, and Dianne Morales.

 

As we reported, Biaggi had released a joint statement on Twitter on April 28, together with State Sen. Julia Salazar and Assembly Member Yuh-Line Niou, saying, “As survivors of childhood sexual assault, we believe survivors.” The statement continued, “Our commitment to a harassment-free government, workplace, and society is steadfast, and our zero tolerance standard regarding sexual assault applies to [alleged] abusers like Andrew Cuomo, if not more so, to our friends.”

Our statement regarding the allegations against Scott Stringer.

Many people are reaching out to me about this. Beyond my complete support for Jean Kim & her choice to speak out, I believe the right thing to do is to allow her (or those who she specifically asks) to speak. pic.twitter.com/Syi7vpjfoc

— Julia Salazar (@JuliaCarmel__) April 28, 2021

Biaggi is a fierce vocal advocate for sexual assault survivors, and had been among the first elected officials to call for the resignation of Gov. Andrew Cuomo, when he was accused of sexual misconduct in February, as reported at the time by Norwood News. The governor denies the allegations and is co-operating with an ongoing investigation overseen by New York State Attorney General, Laetitia James.

 

The senator hosted a preplanned sexual assault awareness town hall on April 29 to coincide with sexual assault awareness month. She was joined by panelists, Niou, NYS Sen. Brad Holyman, and Dawn Row from the advocacy group, Girl Vow.

I stand with Jean Kim and commend her bravery in coming forward. We must take these allegations seriously. My full statement: pic.twitter.com/IeJHs0L1gW

— Kathryn Garcia (@KGforNYC) April 28, 2021

Rivera had released an earlier statement on Wednesday, April 28, which read, “When a survivor speaks out about their experience with sexual harassment, we need to listen and seek the accountability that the situation demands.

 

It continued, “I support Jean Kim’s decision to share her experience in a climate that has only recently begun to listen. In that regard, we all have a responsibility to foster a safe environment for women to share their stories of predation, abuses, and harassment. Progress cannot occur in the dark and we owe a debt to survivors brave enough to shed light. I urge Scott Stringer and his campaign to demonstrate respect for all survivors by rejecting attacks on Ms. Kim as an individual.”

 

He concluded, “If we are truly going to end the normalization of sexual harassment and violence in our society, particularly against women and women of color, these basic standards of decency must apply to everyone, friends or otherwise.”

On IG LIVE to discuss my decision.

Tune in to hear my thoughts! https://t.co/U2XK10Xx9d

— Jessica Ramos (@jessicaramos) April 28, 2021

 

Fellow mayoral candidate, Ray McGuire, had also issued a stateement on Wednesday, April 28, in response to the allegations saying, “My thoughts are first and foremost with the woman who has come forward. She has demonstrated incredible bravery in standing before the world and speaking her truth,” he said.

 

“Her accounts of sexual assault and harassment are troubling and must be taken seriously.” he continued, “For generations, women have expressed feeling obligated to accept this kind of behavior because they feared retaliation that may prevent them from future employment. Even now, women must constantly navigate uncomfortable situations at work and then manage the economic and psychological toll it has on their well-being. As a city, we must give this survivor the respect of sharing without judgment, ridicule or fear of retaliation – and then the resources to seek accountability if they so choose.”

I am officially suspending my #2 ranked-choice endorsement of Scott Stringer in light of the sexual harassment and assault allegations against him. Here’s my full statement: pic.twitter.com/Q1tXAsDEMH

— Jabari Brisport (@JabariBrisport) April 29, 2021

NYC Mayoral Candidate Shaun Donovan also issued a statement on Wednesday, April 28, saying the allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct brought against Stringer were credible, profoundly disturbing, and deeply disappointing. “With public service comes public trust, and in light of these accusations, it is clear that Mr. Stringer has broken that trust both as a fellow public servant and a prospective candidate to lead our city,” he said. “When presented with allegations against Governor Cuomo, Mr. Stringer stated that ‘we must have zero tolerance for sexual harassment, and we must end the pervasive culture of abuse in positions of power.’ I agreed with his statement then, and I agree with it now.”

 

He concluded, “As a man who has occupied positions of power, I know there is no such thing as a consensual relationship between a person in power and an intern. I commend Jean Kim’s courage to come forward and share her story. And part of supporting Jean Kim is to amplify her voice, and I do so by joining her call for Mr. Stringer to resign his office and withdraw his candidacy for Mayor immediately.”

 

During a campaign event in Co-op City in The Bronx on Saturday, May 1, in response to a question about the allegations against Stringer, Donovan said, “[Scott Stringer’s] behavior is abhorrent and I have been even more distressed to watch him use a Republican playbook. We saw it with Kavanaugh and with Trump — to find small inaccuracies to discredit the brave woman who has come forward.”

 

Also, on Saturday, the following joint statement was issued by Norwood Congress Member Adriano Espaillat who represents parts of the Bronx and Manhattan, State Sen. José M. Serrano, who represents parts of Manhattan, Assembly Member Carmen De La Rosa, who represents parts of Manhattan, City Council Member Mark Levine, who represents parts of Manhattan, and Council Member Diana Ayala, who represents parts of The Bronx and Manhattan, “We rescind our endorsement of Scott Stringer’s mayoral campaign.”

 

Norwood News has reached out to the city comptroller’s office for comment on the allegations. We did not receive an immediate response.

 

Editor’s Note: The New York Times and others reported in December 2022 that Stringer filed a defamation lawsuit against Jean Kim, who had accused him of alleged sexual assault when she worked for him as an intern. Stringer claimed the allegations were fake and cost him the 2021 mayoral bid. 

 

In March 2023, The NY Post reported that Kim has filed a lawsuit against Stringer under the New York’s Adult Survivors Act, which opened a one-year window for adult victims of sexual abuse to sue even if their claims fell outside the statute of limitations. Stringers denies any wrongdoing. 

 

In August 2023, a Manhattan Supreme Court Judge rejected an attempt by Scott Stringer to sue the woman who accused him of sexual misconduct for defamation. Judge Richard Latin granted a motion to dismiss filed by defendant Jean Kim, finding Stringer’s claims were time-barred.