The 2010 New York gubernatorial election was held on Tuesday, November 2, 2010. Incumbent Democratic governor David Paterson, who was elected as lieutenant governor in 2006 as the running mate of Eliot Spitzer, and became governor in 2008 following Spitzer's resignation, initially ran for a full term but withdrew in February 2010. Democratic New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo defeated Republican Carl Paladino to become the next governor of New York. Cuomo dominated downstate New York and won a majority of upstate counties, while Paladino did well in his home region of Buffalo, winning Democratic-leaning Erie County.
The results of New York's gubernatorial elections are used to decide which parties receive automatic ballot access and in what order the parties are listed on the ballot. Parties whose candidates for governor receive over 50,000 votes on that party's line receive automatic ballot access for the next four years until the next gubernatorial election. This rule applies regardless of whether the party fielded its own candidate or cross-endorsed the candidate of another party. Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins received over 57,000 votes, allowing the New York Green Party to be listed on the ballot for the following four years. The New York TimesMariani, John The Post Standard, November 3, 2010
As of 2026, this is the last time that Erie County voted Republican in a gubernatorial election, as well as the last time that any candidate won over 60% of the vote in a gubernatorial election. This is also the last time Democrats won the following counties in a gubernatorial election: Cayuga, Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Dutchess, Greene, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Livingston, Madison, Montgomery, Oneida, Ontario, Orange, Oswego, Otsego, Putnam, Rensselaer, St. Lawerence, Saratoga, Schuyler, Seneca, Sullivan, Warren, Washington, Wayne, and Yates. This is the most recent New York gubernatorial election in which the winner won a majority of counties, as well as the last election without an incumbent running.
Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Andrew Cuomo, Attorney General of New York, Former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and son of former governor Mario Cuomo
Withdrew David Paterson, incumbent Governor of New York (withdrew February 26, 2010)
Failed to qualify Jimmy McMillan, founder of the Rent Is Too Damn High Party Joel Tyner, Dutchess County legislator Incumbent Democratic governor David Paterson had announced that he was running for election in 2009. Paterson had been elected lieutenant governor of New York in 2006, and was sworn in as governor on March 17, 2008. On September 18, 2009, advisors to President Barack Obama informed Paterson that the President believed Paterson should withdraw his gubernatorial candidacy and clear a path for "popular Attorney General Andrew Cuomo" to run. Paterson insisted he was still running, and reiterated his position on February 9, 2010. On February 26, 2010, however, Paterson withdrew his bid for a full term as governor of New York "amid crumbling support from his party and an uproar over his administration’s intervention in a domestic violence case involving a close aide".
Democratic New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo was widely rumored to be considering a 2010 gubernatorial bid. Though he had originally denied any interest, this did not stop rampant speculation that Cuomo would change his mind and enter the race. By December, Cuomo had a massive lead over Paterson in the polls, had higher approval and favorability ratings, and decisively beat any Republican challenger in every poll. After over a year of dodging speculation, Cuomo finally announced his candidacy on May 22, 2010, outside the Tweed Courthouse at New York's City Hall.Benjamin, Elizabeth (May 22, 2010). Cuomo makes it official . Capitol Tonight. Retrieved 2010-05-22.
Dutchess County legislator Joel Tyner ran an unsuccessful petition drive that fell short of the 15,000 signatures necessary to get onto the primary ballot.
Rent Is Too Damn High Party founder Jimmy McMillan filed petitions to appear on the Democratic primary ballot and the Rent Is Too Damn High line. However, he put very little effort into the Democratic petitions, and the vast majority of the 13,350 signatures bearing his name were collected by Randy Credico, who had partnered with McMillan for a joint Democratic petition.Katz, Celeste (July 18, 2010). NYS Dems Party Chair: Randy Credico & Co. Fail Petition Test: Update » . New York Daily News. Retrieved 2010-10-23. Credico had counted on McMillan to collect 10,000 signatures to put his total at over 20,000, above the 15,000 required to get onto the ballot, but McMillan never followed through, leaving both candidates short of the necessary signatures to force a Democratic primary against Cuomo, who was thus unopposed. Credico, in response, called McMillan a "jack-off" and a "sorry ass", accusing him of "working against me", "turn[ing] in a wagonload of blank pages and then [leaving] Albany in brand new automobiles."Credico, Randy (August 18, 2010). Congratulations, Chuck! You've knocked me off the Democratic primary ballot. The Huffington Post. Retrieved 2010-10-23.
Polling Poll sourceDates administeredDavid PatersonAndrew CuomoSiena PollSiena Poll January 10–14, 2010 21%59%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac December 7–13, 2009 23%60%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports July 14, 2009 27%61%QunnipiacQunnipiac May 5–11, 2009 17%62%QunnipiacQunnipiac April 1–5, 2009 18%61%Siena PollSiena Poll March 13–16, 2009 17%67%Marist PollMarist Poll February 25–26, 2009 26%62%Siena PollSiena Poll February 16–18, 2009 27%53%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac February 10–15, 2009 23%55%Siena PollSiena Poll January 20–23, 200935% 33%Siena PollSiena Poll December 8–11, 200849% 26%Siena PollSiena Poll November 10–13, 200853% 25%Siena Poll July 7–10, 200851% 21%Siena Poll May 12–15, 200842% 29%Siena Poll April 12–15, 200835% 30%
Results Cuomo was unopposed for the Democratic nomination.
Lieutenant governor Unelected lieutenant governor Richard Ravitch did not seek election in 2010.
Cuomo selected Rochester mayor Bob Duffy as his running mate on May 26, 2010.Katz, Celeste (May 26, 2010). Rochester Mayor Robert Duffy = Cuomo's LG Pick . The Daily Politics. Retrieved 2010-05-26. Other Democrats mentioned as potential candidates include Ramapo town supervisor Christopher St. Lawrence, State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-Yonkers), Buffalo mayor Byron Brown,Joseph Illuzzi, "MAYOR BYRON BROWN "A CONTENDER" to be Cuomo's running mate." Crain's Report via PoliticsNY.net. Retrieved August 14, 2009. State Senator Darrel Aubertine,Aubertine: "I Always Keep My Options Open." WWNY-TV. Retrieved May 11, 2010. and Canandaigua businessman Bill Samuels.
Republican primary Candidates Nominee Carl Paladino, Buffalo developer and political activistMcCarthy, Robert (February 3, 2010). Paladino considers run for governor. The Buffalo News. Retrieved 2010-02-03.
Lost nomination Rick Lazio, former congressman, 2000 Republican nominee for U.S. Senate, and official party designee Warren Redlich, attorney and Libertarian Party gubernatorial nomineeKarlin, Rick (February 1, 2010). From Guilderland to Governor's Mansion? Albany Times Union. Retrieved 2010-02-02. Steven A. Levy, Suffolk County executive Myers Mermel, real estate developerFouhy, Beth (May 23, 2010). 4th candidate seeks GOP nomination for NY governor. Associated Press. Retrieved 2010-05-23. On September 21, 2009, former Long Island Congressman and 2000 Republican U.S. Senate nominee Rick Lazio declared his 2010 candidacy for governor of New York; Lazio made a formal announcement in Albany, New York the following day. Lazio was the frontrunner for the Republican nomination.
Other potential 2010 Republican gubernatorial candidates included former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Erie County Executive Chris Collins.Dicker, Fred (May 18, 2009). BIZMAN POL IS GOPERS' PLAN B. New York Post. Retrieved 2009-05-19.Vielkind, Jimmy (May 29, 2009). Collins, Lazio Get to Sit Up Front at Conservative Party Dinner .Is Chris Collins running for governor? WBEN (October 4, 2009). Retrieved 2009-10-07. In April 2009, a Quinnipiac poll showed Giuliani slightly ahead of incumbent David Paterson. Giuliani stated in June 2009 that he was considering running. In December 2009, Giuliani announced that he would not run and would instead back Lazio. On January 26, 2010, Collins announced that he would not run; he did not endorse Lazio, and instead encouraged the Party to choose someone else.McCarthy, Robert (January 26, 2010). Collins ends run for governor. The Buffalo News. Retrieved 2010-01-25.
On March 19, 2010, Steve Levy, the county executive of Suffolk County, announced that he would run for governor as a Republican. Republican Party Chairman Ed Cox threw his support to Levy.
After Collins passed on the race, activist Rus Thompson persuaded developer Carl Paladino to consider running for governor. In March 2010, Paladino was strongly considering a run and was said to be willing to spend $10,000,000 of his own money on a campaign. He advised state Republican Party chairman Edward F. Cox of his intentions. Paladino announced his candidacy on April 5, 2010.
At the June 2010 Republican Convention, Lazio won the support of 59% of the delegates and was designated the Party's candidate for Governor. Levy "received 28 percent [of the vote] on the first ballot, squeaking above the 25 percent threshold needed to force a second vote on his authorization. While he [had] signed a Republican registration form, Levy [remained] an enrolled Democrat. As such, a separate vote authorizing his appearance in a primary was held: Levy garnered the support of 42.66 percent of the delegates, short of the 50 percent required". Paladino received eight percent of the vote, and real estate consultant Myers Mermel received four percent. On July 15, 2010, Paladino mounted a primary challenge against Lazio by filing petitions. He filed enough petitions to be placed on the ballot for the Republican primary.
By September 2010, Lazio and Paladino were nearly tied in the most polls, with Paladino having a significant edge in Upstate New York and Lazio leading heavily in Downstate New York. Paladino was supported heavily by the Tea Party movement. On September 14, 2010, Paladino upset Lazio by a nearly two-to-one margin in the primary.
Polling Poll sourceDates administeredRick LazioSteve LevyCarl PaladinoSiena PollSiena PollSeptember 7–9, 201042%–41%QuinnipiacQuinnipiacJuly 20–26, 201039%–23%Siena PollMay 17–20, 201029%14%16%Marist PollMarist PollMay 3–5, 201038%22%13%Siena PollSiena PollApril 12–15, 201029%15%13%QuinnipiacQuinnipiacApril 6–11, 201034%11%11%Marist PollMarist Poll March 23–24, 201053%21%–Siena PollSiena Poll March 15–18, 201060%19%–
Results
Lieutenant governor On the Republican side, Lazio endorsed Chautauqua County executive Greg Edwards as his choice for lieutenant governor on May 17, 2010.Benjamin, Elizabeth (May 19, 2010). Edwards as Lazio's AG . Capitol Tonight. Retrieved 2010-05-19. Tom Ognibene, former minority leader of the New York City Council, was Paladino's running mate. Other Republicans mentioned as potential candidates included Orange County executive Edward A. Diana, Monroe County executive Maggie Brooks, former New York Secretary of State Christopher Jacobs (Steve Levy's preferred running mate),Benjamin, Elizabeth (June 4, 2010). Levy's almost-LG . State of Politics (YNN). Retrieved 2010-06-05. Onondaga County executive Joanie Mahoney, 2006 lieutenant governor candidate C. Scott Vanderhoef (who instead ran for State Senate), and Myers Mermel (who later opted to run for governor instead). Edwards narrowly defeated Tom Ognibene, creating a split ticket in which Lazio's preferred running mate became Paladino's running mate in the general election.
Independents and third parties