The Democrats have active internal politics, even (perhaps especially) in a Democratic-dominated state. New York Attorney General Letitia James had no reason to fear reprisal—political or otherwise—for investigating the allegations against Cuomo and reporting her findings. The Democrats in the state house probably figured that their prospects as a party would improve without the weight of Cuomo’s alleged misdeeds around their ankles.

No doubt at least some Republicans felt similarly in 2019, even if they didn’t say so. But in the Republican party, criticizing, disappointing, or contradicting the dear leader is an offense worthy of expulsion—if not worse. That’s not to say Republicans don’t have some internal competition, but rather that, to the degree such competition exists, it is between actors competing to show fealty to the Supreme Leader who is himself above and insulated from any such challenge.

There are other explanations, too: The Democrats attract people, especially women, who care about this particular issue.