NY Gov. Hochul joins calls for Queens Assemblyman Juan Ardila to resign over sexual misconduct allegations

ALBANY — Gov. Hochul added her name to the growing list of elected officials calling on Queens Assemblyman Juan Ardila to resign over allegations of sexual misconduct predating his time in office.

Ardila has been facing pressure to step down since a pair of women came forward earlier this week to accuse him of making unwanted sexual advances at a party nearly a decade ago.

“I condemn all forms of sexual assault,” Hochul told reporters following an unrelated event in Manhattan on Thursday. “It is intolerable and unacceptable, what he did, and I support the survivors and their call for accountability. Yes, he should resign.”

Ardila, 29, is a progressive Democrat who represents Maspeth and Sunnyside. He took office in January, replacing former Assemblywoman Cathy Nolan, who chose not to seek reelection last year after serving almost four decades in Albany.

The Fordham University grad is accused of forcibly touching two women at a 2015 party while they were intoxicated and exposing himself to one of them. The Queens Chronicle first reported the alleged misconduct.

One of the women, who spoke anonymously to the Chronicle and the Queens Eagle, said Ardila kissed and groped her while the pair sat on a couch.

The woman also relayed written allegations from a second woman, who the Chronicle reported was pulled into a bathroom by Ardila. Once there, she alleges he kissed her and that when she pulled away, he exposed himself.

Ardila apologized for his behavior but has not indicated whether he is considering stepping down.

“I have spent time reflecting, and I hope to prove I have matured since college,” he said in a previous statement. “I’m committed to learning from this and I am able to demonstrate my own personal growth.”

Several of Ardila’s fellow liberal lawmakers have already called on him to resign.

Sens. Kristen Gonzalez, Julia Salazar and Mike Gianaris, Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani and Councilwoman Julie Won, all Democrats, released a joint statement on Wednesday condemning their colleague’s behavior.

“While we believe in restorative justice, this process cannot occur while holding a position of power,” they wrote.