As New York’s new governor Kathy Hochul begins to fill out her administration, an assessment of her predecessor is now underway.

Questions of Andrew Cuomo’s legacy are dividing members of the state’s congressional delegation, with some arguing it is impossible to look at the former governor’s accomplishments without also considering the accusations that forced him from office.

“Unfortunately, it's a scandal he created so that will be his legacy,” said Congressman Brian Higgins, a Democrat representing western New York.

Cuomo resigned following a dramatic report from the state’s Attorney General detailing allegations of sexual harassment.

But can those accusations be separated from his achievements as governor?

“Ultimately I’ll let the historians decide what the paragraph order will be,” said Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, a Democrat representing Brooklyn.

Jeffries, who was one of the last members of the New York delegation to call on Cuomo resign, said there are things from Cuomo’s time in office - such as the passage of gay marriage - that New Yorkers can be proud of.

“There are many people in the communities that I represent in some of the hardest parts of Brooklyn who believe that Gov. Cuomo was there for them in the context of the pain, suffering, and death experienced as a result of the pandemic,” he said.

Queens Congressman Gregory Meeks, who like Jeffries waited until after the AG report was released to call on Cuomo to step aside, said part of the former governor’s legacy will be questions about how his term ended.

But Meeks also pointed to his actions as governor. “Number one, he did a lot with reference to innovation, in regards to infrastructure and building and trying to see the future,” he said.

Across the aisle, Republicans already had plenty of objections to Cuomo’s policy agenda, but suggest the events of late could overshadow much else.

“This will certainly be a cloud that will remain over Gov. Cuomo and a stain on his tenure as governor,” said Staten Island Republican Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis, referring to the AG report and the questions surrounding nursing home deaths.

“Legacies take some time. But I think unfortunately - for him and for New York State - it's going to be what brought his demise,” said Congressman Chris Jacobs, who represents western New York.