Ana Liss was in her kitchen on Tuesday night, wrapping up a batch of banana bread after putting her children to bed, when a text from a close friend brought surprising news.
“I’m so happy for you, this is redemption,” the message read.
Liss, a former aide to disgraced Governor Andrew Cuomo, had testified against him during the attorney general’s sexual harassment investigation.
She opened her social media to see numerous posts about Zohran Mamdani’s victory in the Democratic primary for mayor, where he decisively defeated her former boss.
Pouring herself a glass of wine, Liss reflected, “I said a prayer of gratitude because I just felt like it was poetic justice.”
Cuomo, who had once held significant lead in polls while campaigning for mayor, faced a stunning defeat just four years after resigning from his Governor position amid numerous allegations of sexual misconduct.
Despite the passage of time and his attempts to restart his political career, Cuomo’s challenges from his past continued to haunt him.
News coverage leading up to the primary highlighted Cuomo’s ongoing legal entanglements stemming from the same claims that initially led to his resignation.
A report revealed that Cuomo’s defense, funded by taxpayer money, had been utilized to launch attacks on the women who accused him, a strategy that included invasive legal requests and unfounded claims against their credibility.
Throughout his campaign, Cuomo maintained his innocence, with a spokesperson recently asserting that his administration’s legal troubles were politically motivated.
At the beginning of his campaign, it seemed Cuomo’s past would not hinder his ambitions, as he garnered endorsements from various local unions and prominent party leaders.
For instance, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who formerly called for Cuomo’s resignation, stated earlier this year that it was up to voters to decide if he deserved a second chance.
A significant focal point of the litigation against Cuomo involved allegations from an anonymous state trooper whom he personally had transferred to his security detail.
Many of Cuomo’s other accusers have been drawn into lengthy legal battles despite having no ties to her claims, with Cuomo’s legal team demanding extensive personal records, thereby increasing the financial burden on the women involved.
Liss, based in Rochester and not participating in the primary vote, shared her experience as a woman who felt obliged to testify despite not filing a lawsuit against Cuomo.
Describing her testimony as mild, Liss explained she felt compelled to come forward.
However, after being subpoenaed in 2023, she faced an uncomfortable deposition process—without legal counsel due to the financial strain of childcare and work commitments.
“I was naive,” Liss admitted, characterizing the lengthy deposition as both embarrassing and humiliating.
Following her testimony, Liss discovered that portions of her statement had been leaked online to pro-Cuomo accounts, further complicating her situation.
Those around her, including colleagues, friends, and family, often questioned her decision to speak out against the once-powerful governor, intensifying her sense of shame and anxiety over potential job loss due to her involvement.
With mounting legal fees of $30,000 and grappling with her own emotional consequences, Liss acknowledged the toll that coming forward had taken on her life.
Cuomo’s legal strategy has proven exceptionally costly—in May, reports indicated he had racked up $19.4 million in legal fees funded by taxpayers, an arrangement that allowed him to fend off lawsuits related to his misconduct.
In response to this taxpayer funding, some lawmakers introduced legislation aimed at restricting the ability of public officials to utilize unlimited state funds for legal battles connected to their jobs—specifically targeting Cuomo’s ongoing litigation.
Unfortunately, this legislation did not advance through the committee, but the results from the primary election offer renewed hope for those impacted by Cuomo’s actions.
Following Mamdani’s victory, Senator Liz Krueger expressed a sentiment that the democratic outcome also represented a repudiation of the notion that powerful men should escape the ramifications of their behavior.
“I suspect the people don’t want to keep shelling out millions of their tax dollars for an army of lawyers to continue making life miserable for the women he harassed,” she noted, hinting at potential legislative momentum next session.
Erica Vladimer, co-director of the Sexual Harassment Working Group that advocates for limits on Cuomo’s legal costs, echoed Krueger’s sentiments, recognizing how the election results shift the political landscape.
Vladimer remarked that the previous political support for Cuomo stemmed from fears regarding his potential for retribution, which has now dissipated following his primary loss.
As the race approached its conclusion, rival candidates began to more aggressively confront Cuomo about his past allegations.
In a recent debate, Mamdani directly questioned Cuomo’s history with harassment, while fellow candidate Brad Lander reinforced the accusations, creating a public discourse where the former governor had to confront the allegations head-on.
Karen Hinton, a former aide to Cuomo during the 1990s who now resides in New Orleans, watched the election results closely.
Having written a memoir about her experiences with Cuomo, Hinton recounted moments that raised eyebrows regarding his inappropriate conduct.
Despite living outside New York City, she felt compelled to support Mamdani’s progressive vision amid growing concerns about New York’s living costs, especially knowing her daughters reside in the city.
As results came in, Hinton felt optimistic about the race’s outcome, eagerly observing as Cuomo approached the stage for his remarks.
Her instincts proved right as Cuomo conceded the race, leading Hinton to reflect on a broader implication.
“There are no more wars for him to fight. It’s over,” she asserted.
In her view, the election signals an end to the Cuomo dynasty, providing a moment of closure both for her and others who had been impacted by his actions.
image source from：thecity
