Local officials were quick to release statements Tuesday after Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced he would resign amid ongoing pressure over sexual harassment claims and are looking forward to working with the next administration.

Cuomo said during a news conference he will step down in two weeks, handing the reigns to Kathy Hochul.

“I agree with Governor Cuomo’s decision to step down,” Hochul said in a statement. “It is the right thing to do and in the best interest of New Yorkers. “As someone who has served at all levels of government and is next in the line of succession, I am prepared to lead as New York State’s 57th Governor.”

Other officials noted that Cuomo made the right call in resigning.

“With the allegations against the governor, it was proper to resign and hand over our state’s leadership to Kathy Hochul,” said Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist. “As a friend and colleague, I’m confident her historic leadership will get us through the reminder of this pandemic and bring a brighter future to New York.”

Chautauqua County Democratic Chairman Norm Green, who is also running for county executive, is looking forward to Hochul, a Western New York native.

“As many know, Kathy will be New York’s very first female governor. She spends lots of time in our county and at Chautauqua Institution. She is married to former U.S. Attorney Bill Hochul and he will be a fabulous first husband for our state,” he said.

County Executive PJ Wendel, a Republican, said he believes Hochul’s leadership will be benefit Western New York. “We are from opposite sides of the aisle but she has always done what’s right for government,” he said.

Wendel worked closely with Hochul during the control room meetings focused on the pandemic. “Her leadership was exemplary,” he said. “I talked to other control rooms and they did not have that.”

Dunkirk Mayor Wilfred Rosas supports Cuomo’s resignation, even though he believes the governor has done a lot of good for the local area, in terms of funding and helping the Western New York economy. “I’m very grateful for the governor for that. I wish him the best,” he said.

Rosas is also looking forward to working with Hochul. “The lieutenant governor is a personal friend of mine; it’s not just a professional relationship. She is more than prepared to take over duty of governor,” he said.

State Sen. George Borrello, R-Sunset Bay, who has been a fierce critic of Cuomo, applauded the resignation. “New Yorkers can breathe a sigh of relief and get back to the important task of recovering from the damage caused by the pandemic and bad policies from this governor. Despite his apologies, we won’t forget or forgive team Cuomo’s behind-the-scenes attempts to discredit and undermine the reputations of the 11 courageous women who had the courage to come forward. We cannot and will not forget them or what they endured. We also won’t forget the countless nursing home residents – our parents, grandparents and friends – who lost their lives to his unconscionable policies. I look forward to working with Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul to make a better and safer state for everyone,” he said.

Seneca Nation President Matthew Pagels, from the Cattaraugus (Irving) Territory, has no love for Cuomo either. “The imminent change of leadership in Albany is good news for all New Yorkers, particularly members of sovereign Native Nations located within the state’s borders who have for too long been overlooked and mistreated by the current administration. (Tuesday’s) announcement was not precipitated by politics, but by the actions of one individual, his abuse of power and the bravery of those who had the strength and courage to stand up for themselves. I hope this signals the end of the well-known and well-documented bully tactics that have been deployed at the state capitol throughout his term,” he said. “It is well past time for a new occupant who can bring true leadership to the

Governor’s office, making history in the process. The Seneca Nation looks forward to forging a relationship built on respect, understanding and open dialogue with Governor Kathy Hochul when she takes office later this month.”

State GOP Chairman Nick Langworthy, who grew up in South Dayton and graduated from Pine Valley Central School, believes the time has come for a Republican governor. “Whether it was his numerous pay-to-play and corruption scandals, his deadly nursing home cover up or his $5 million book deal, the New York Republican Party has traveled across the state to expose the real Andrew Cuomo, even when it was a lonely solo mission. We will not rest until the entire stench of the Cuomo Administration is wiped clean from state government and we usher in a new era of integrity and common sense under a Republican governor in 2022,” he said.