New York gubernatorial election, 2002
Encyclopedia
The New York gubernatorial election of 2002 was an election for the state governorship
held on November 5, 2002. Governor George Pataki
, the two-term Republican
incumbent, was re-elected with 49% of the vote, defeating both the Democratic
nominee, State Comptroller Carl McCall
and Independence Party
candidate Tom Golisano
.
sought the nominations of the Conservative
and the Independence Party
. Golisano, who sought (and ultimately won) the nomination of the Independence Party, also ran against the Governor in the Conservative primary, spending over $20 million during the primaries, or over $2000 per vote. Pataki secured the Republican and Conservative listings, while Golisano successfully defended his hold on the Independence Party ticket.
Comptroller Carl McCall
defeated Andrew Cuomo
in the Democratic State Convention, and Cuomo withdrew less than a week before the primary, but this was too late to get his name off the Liberal line. Since Liberal supporters could no longer support the Democratic candidate but vote for the Liberal line (and thus ensure that the Liberals would maintain ballot access), Cuomo's defeat effectively helped to destroy the Liberal party.
Pataki was easily reelected; McCall received 33 percent of the vote, carrying New York City (other than Staten Island) and nearly carrying Albany County while Golisano received 14%, carrying western New York's Monroe County.
Governor of New York
The Governor of the State of New York is the chief executive of the State of New York. The governor is the head of the executive branch of New York's state government and the commander-in-chief of the state's military and naval forces. The officeholder is afforded the courtesy title of His/Her...
held on November 5, 2002. Governor George Pataki
George Pataki
George Elmer Pataki is an American politician who was the 53rd Governor of New York. A member of the Republican Party, Pataki served three consecutive four-year terms from January 1, 1995 until December 31, 2006.- Early life :...
, the two-term Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
incumbent, was re-elected with 49% of the vote, defeating both the Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
nominee, State Comptroller Carl McCall
Carl McCall
Herman Carl McCall is a former Comptroller of New York State and was the Democratic candidate for state governor in 2002. He is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ, and currently serves on the Board of Directors for numerous corporations. He received a B.A. degree from Dartmouth...
and Independence Party
Independence Party of New York
The Independence Party is an affiliate in the U.S. state of New York of the Independence Party of America. The party was founded in 1991 by Dr. Gordon Black, Tom Golisano, and Laureen Oliver from Rochester, New York, and acquired ballot status in 1994...
candidate Tom Golisano
Tom Golisano
Blase Thomas Golisano is an American businessman and philanthropist. He is the founder of Paychex, the second-largest payroll processor in the United States and former co-owner of the Buffalo Sabres hockey team and of the Buffalo Bandits lacrosse team...
.
Background
In New York state politics, the proliferation of parties and ballot lines ensures that each candidate attempts to be listed under multiple ballot lines. Besides his standard Republican nomination, Governor PatakiGeorge Pataki
George Elmer Pataki is an American politician who was the 53rd Governor of New York. A member of the Republican Party, Pataki served three consecutive four-year terms from January 1, 1995 until December 31, 2006.- Early life :...
sought the nominations of the Conservative
Conservative Party of New York
The Conservative Party of New York State is an American political party active in the state of New York. It is not part of any nationwide party, nor is it affiliated with the American Conservative Party, which it predates by over 40 years....
and the Independence Party
Independence Party of New York
The Independence Party is an affiliate in the U.S. state of New York of the Independence Party of America. The party was founded in 1991 by Dr. Gordon Black, Tom Golisano, and Laureen Oliver from Rochester, New York, and acquired ballot status in 1994...
. Golisano, who sought (and ultimately won) the nomination of the Independence Party, also ran against the Governor in the Conservative primary, spending over $20 million during the primaries, or over $2000 per vote. Pataki secured the Republican and Conservative listings, while Golisano successfully defended his hold on the Independence Party ticket.
Comptroller Carl McCall
Carl McCall
Herman Carl McCall is a former Comptroller of New York State and was the Democratic candidate for state governor in 2002. He is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ, and currently serves on the Board of Directors for numerous corporations. He received a B.A. degree from Dartmouth...
defeated Andrew Cuomo
Andrew Cuomo
Andrew Mark Cuomo is the 56th and current Governor of New York, having assumed office on January 1, 2011. A member of the Democratic Party, he was the 64th New York State Attorney General, and was the 11th United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development...
in the Democratic State Convention, and Cuomo withdrew less than a week before the primary, but this was too late to get his name off the Liberal line. Since Liberal supporters could no longer support the Democratic candidate but vote for the Liberal line (and thus ensure that the Liberals would maintain ballot access), Cuomo's defeat effectively helped to destroy the Liberal party.
Pataki was easily reelected; McCall received 33 percent of the vote, carrying New York City (other than Staten Island) and nearly carrying Albany County while Golisano received 14%, carrying western New York's Monroe County.
Republican
| Candidate | Conservative Conservative Party of New York The Conservative Party of New York State is an American political party active in the state of New York. It is not part of any nationwide party, nor is it affiliated with the American Conservative Party, which it predates by over 40 years.... Vote | percentage | Independence Independence Party of New York The Independence Party is an affiliate in the U.S. state of New York of the Independence Party of America. The party was founded in 1991 by Dr. Gordon Black, Tom Golisano, and Laureen Oliver from Rochester, New York, and acquired ballot status in 1994... Vote | percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| George Pataki George Pataki George Elmer Pataki is an American politician who was the 53rd Governor of New York. A member of the Republican Party, Pataki served three consecutive four-year terms from January 1, 1995 until December 31, 2006.- Early life :... | 18,185 | (86.86%) | 9,026 | (48.53%) |
| Tom Golisano Tom Golisano Blase Thomas Golisano is an American businessman and philanthropist. He is the founder of Paychex, the second-largest payroll processor in the United States and former co-owner of the Buffalo Sabres hockey team and of the Buffalo Bandits lacrosse team... | 2,751 | (13.14%) | 9,572 | (51.47%) |
Democratic
| Candidate | Democratic Vote | percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Comptroller Carl McCall Carl McCall Herman Carl McCall is a former Comptroller of New York State and was the Democratic candidate for state governor in 2002. He is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ, and currently serves on the Board of Directors for numerous corporations. He received a B.A. degree from Dartmouth... | 539,883 | (85.28%) |
| Andrew Cuomo Andrew Cuomo Andrew Mark Cuomo is the 56th and current Governor of New York, having assumed office on January 1, 2011. A member of the Democratic Party, he was the 64th New York State Attorney General, and was the 11th United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development... | 93,195 | (14.72%) |
General Election Results
External links
- Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism coverage of election
- Gotham Gazette coverage of election
- Marist Poll coverage of election