Cuomo: Cruz should apologize over “NY values” comment; Cruz responds

Gov. Andrew Cuomo took to the national airwaves Friday morning to knock Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz for referring negatively to "New York values."

In recent days, Cruz has traded barbs with Republican foe Donald Trump, a native New Yorker, saying Trump embodies "New York values" and going on to say that New York has policies that "are socially liberal and pro-abortion and pro-gay marriage.”

The comments angered New York's Democratic governor, who led a campaign to legalize same-sex marriage in New York in 2011 and has pushed from stronger abortion rights.

"In 30 seconds, he offended gays, he offended women, he offended 18 million people and he offended one of the largest congressional delegations in this country," Cuomo said on CNN. "You can’t govern like that, you can’t win a campaign like that, and he’s only getting worse and the discussion is only degenerating."

Later Friday, Cruz told reporters that he apologizes to the "millions of New Yorkers who have been let down by liberal politicians in that state."

He took a swipe at Cuomo over the state's ban on hydraulic fracturing for natural gas, saying, "I apologize to the hard-working men and women of the state of New York who have been denied jobs because Governor Cuomo won't allow fracking."

In his comments, according to NBC News, Cruz also said that he apologizes to "all the pro-life and pro-marriage and pro-Second Amendment New Yorkers who are told by Governor Cuomo that they have no place in New York because that's not who New Yorkers are."

Cuomo, who is backing Hillary Clinton for president and was a cabinet member under former President Clinton, has criticized Trump during the presidential campaign, but defended New York and even Trump's comments about the nation rallying around New York after the 9/11 attacks.

"As Cruz is saying anti-New York and trying to bring up a negative stereotype that is offensive, 9/11 is the exact opposite," Cuomo said on MSNBC. "9/11 is the symbol of this country’s better angels and the essence of what Americans feel."

Cuomo has battled with conservatives over the years, in his state and nationally. In 2014, he drew their ire when he said "right to life, pro-assault weapon, anti-gay” conservatives have “no place in the state of New York” as he sought to try to explain that they can't win elections in New York.

Cuomo said Cruz should apologize to New Yorkers.

"I’m always open to give him an education on what New York values are all about," Cuomo said on NY1. "And if he had any class, he would apologize to the people of New York. Not that I believe they need it or they want it. But if he had any class, he would apologize."

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio also criticized Cruz.

"On behalf of all New Yorkers, I am disgusted at the insult that Ted Cruz threw at this city, and its people," de Blasio told reporters. "And the bottom line is he does not understand, in the least, New York values. I find myself, for once, in agreement with Donald Trump. I think it was right for Donald Trump to defend New York City, and to talk about the heroic actions of the people of this city after 9/11."