George Pataki

Governor Pataki began as Mayor of his hometown of Peekskill, New York, before going on to serve as both a New York State Assemblyman, State Senator and eventually serving three terms as the 53rd Governor of New York State, ending in 2007.  George Pataki’s path to the New York State Governor’s office was the result of a stunning electoral upset, one in which he unseated the nationally known three-term governor – the late Governor Mario Cuomo. Pataki had to win in not only a deep-blue state against the odds, but also had to go up against an incumbent with not only more money and name recognition, but who was also a national liberal icon.

The odds weren’t in Pataki’s favor, to say the least; Pataki was trailing by 17 points with just two weeks until Election Day. Crisscrossing the state, Pataki made the case for tax cuts, welfare reform and restoring the death penalty, connecting with voters and closing the gap. When he pulled off his improbable victory, Pataki took office and went to work delivering on those promises. Pataki asserted that big government and taxes were strangling the private sector economy. New York was dead last in the creation of private sector jobs. Pataki vowed to get to work, restoring his state as the Empire State a place of opportunity and innovation.

During his tenure as governor, George Pataki demonstrated a clear and decisive vision as a leader, matched with a willingness to build consensus and work with lawmakers from across the political spectrum. Recognizing New York’s growing and influential Hispanic population, Pataki learned Spanish and actively reached out and won support from this traditionally democratic but culturally conservative community.