2002 New York gubernatorial election


The New York gubernatorial election of 2002 was held on November 5, 2002. Governor George Pataki, the two-term Republican incumbent, ran for a third term. Governor Pataki was re-elected to a third term, defeating Democrat Carl McCall and Rochester billionaire Tom Golisano. As of, this is the last time a Republican won a statewide election in New York.

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 Pataki sought the nominations of the Conservative and the Independence Party. Golisano, who sought the nomination of the Independence Party, also ran against the Governor in the Conservative primary, spending over $20 million during the primaries. Pataki secured the Republican and Conservative lines, while Golisano successfully defended his hold on the Independence Party ticket.
Comptroller Carl McCall defeated Andrew Cuomo at the Democratic State Convention, and Cuomo withdrew from the race less than a week before the Democratic primary; however, his withdrawal came too late for his name to be removed from the Liberal Party line. Since Liberal Party supporters could no longer support the Democratic candidate on their own party's line, Cuomo's defeat effectively helped to destroy the Liberal Party.
On Election Day, Pataki was easily re-elected, but fell short of receiving 50% of the vote. McCall received 33% of the vote, carrying New York City and nearly carrying Albany County. Golisano received 14% of the vote, carrying western New York's Monroe County, home to Rochester.

Primaries

Republican

Democratic

Democratic primary

Governor Polling

Lieutenant Governor Polling

Republican primary

Polling

General election

Polling

SourceDateH. Carl McCall George Pataki Thomas Golisano
QuinnipiacDecember 14, 200036%48%-
QuinnipiacFebruary 14, 200136%43%-
QuinnipiacMarch 28, 200135%48%-
QuinnipiacApril 24, 200136%43%-
QuinnipiacJune 26, 200135%46%-
QuinnipiacOctober 2, 200126%59%-
QuinnipiacNovember 14, 200124%56%-
QuinnipiacJanuary 23, 200227%57%-
QuinnipiacFebruary 27, 200229%57%-
QuinnipiacApril 18, 200229%56%-
QuinnipiacMay 1, 200227%58%-
QuinnipiacJuly 2, 200226%53%7%
MaristSeptember 9, 200232%48%11%
QuinnipiacSeptember 25, 200235%46%14%
MaristOctober 1, 200232%48%9%
QuinnipiacOctober 16, 200231%47%18%
The New York TimesOctober 17, 200231%42%17%
MaristOctober 30, 200227%47%17%
MaristNovember 4, 200227%47%19%
QuinnipiacNovember 4, 200229%45%14%

SourceDateAndrew Cuomo Rudolph Giuliani
QuinnipiacDecember 14, 200039%47%

SourceDateH. Carl McCall Rudolph Giuliani
QuinnipiacDecember 14, 200039%45%

Election results

Results by county