The 1998 New York gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1998 to elect the governor and lieutenant governor of New York. Republican incumbent George Pataki was re-elected with 54.3 percent of the vote over New York City council speaker Peter Vallone Jr. and businessman Tom Golisano. This remains the last New York state election in which a Republican won a majority of the vote.
Democratic primary Candidates Peter Vallone Sr., speaker of the New York City Council Betsy McCaughey Ross, incumbent lieutenant governor (also running as Liberal) Charles J. Hynes, Brooklyn district attorney and former New York City Fire Commissioner James LaRocca, president of the Long Island Association
Withdrew Richard Kahan, former president of the Urban Development Corporation
Declined Sheldon Silver, speaker of the New York State Assembly since 1994
Polling Source Date Hynes Kahan LaRocca McCaughey Ross Silver Vallone Quinnipiac University September 24, 1997 13% - 4% -22% 20% Quinnipiac University December 10, 1997 13% 1% 3%26% - 17% Quinnipiac University February 25, 1998 12% 1% 4%18% - 17% Quinnipiac University March 25, 1998 16% 1% 3%27% - 16% Quinnipiac University June 17, 1998 14% - 5%27% - 23% Quinnipiac University July 15, 1998 11% - 3% 13% -35%
Results
General election
Candidates
Al Duncan, transit worker and member of the United Transportation Union (Socialist Workers) Running mate: Sarah Robinett, Brooklyn rail worker and member of the United Transportation Union Mary Alice France, Queens teacher, children's advocate, and organizer for the Ron Daniels 1992 presidential campaign (Unity) Chris Garvey, attorney (Libertarian) Running mate: Donald Silberger, SUNY New Paltz associate professor of mathematics Tom Golisano, CEO of Paychex and 1994 nominee for governor (Independence) Running mate: Laureen Oliver, chair of the Independence Party Thomas K. Leighton, party founder and 1997 candidate for Manhattan borough president (Marijuana Reform) Running mate: Jeffrey Cyphers Wright, poet and independent magazine publisher Al Lewis, actor known for The Munsters (Green) Running mate: Alice Green, activist and prison reform advocate George Pataki, incumbent governor since 1995 (Republican, Conservative) Running mate: Mary Donohue, justice of the New York Supreme Court and former Rensselaer County district attorney Michael Reynolds, former Tarrytown village trustee (Right to Life) Running mate: Karen Swallow Prior, Buffalo antiabortion activist Betsy McCaughey Ross, incumbent lieutenant governor since 1995 (Liberal) Running mate: Jonathan Reiter, New York City personal injury lawyer Peter Vallone Sr., speaker of the New York City Council (Democratic, Working Families) Running mate: Sandra Frankel, Brighton town supervisor
Polling
Source Date George Pataki (R) Peter Vallone (D) Betsy McCaughey Ross (Lib) Thomas Golisano (I) Quinnipiac July 22, 199747% 27% - - Quinnipiac September 24, 199755% 26% - - Quinnipiac December 10, 199756% 26% - - Quinnipiac February 25, 199860% 23% - - Quinnipiac March 25, 199858% 26% - - Quinnipiac June 17, 199859% 19% 12% - Quinnipiac September 27, 199853% 26% 4% 9% Quinnipiac October 15, 199854% 25% 4% 9% Quinnipiac October 28, 199857% 24% 3% 10% Quinnipiac November 2, 199855% 26% 2% 11%
with Charles Hynes Source Date George Pataki (R) Charles Hynes (D) Betsy McCaughey Ross (Lib) Quinnipiac July 22, 199747% 30% - Quinnipiac September 24, 199755% 26% - Quinnipiac December 10, 199754% 28% - Quinnipiac February 25, 199860% 23% - Quinnipiac March 25, 199860% 25% - Quinnipiac June 17, 199859% 18% 12%
with Richard Kahan Source Date George Pataki (R) Richard Kahan (D) Quinnipiac December 10, 199757% 21% Quinnipiac February 25, 199862% 17% Quinnipiac March 25, 199862% 19%
with James LaRocca Source Date George Pataki (R) James LaRocca (D) Betsy McCaughey Ross (Lib) Quinnipiac July 22, 199748% 23% - Quinnipiac September 24, 199755% 21% - Quinnipiac December 10, 199757% 21% - Quinnipiac February 25, 199861% 18% - Quinnipiac March 25, 199863% 19% - Quinnipiac June 17, 199859% 15% 13%
with Betsy McCaughey Ross as Democratic nominee Source Date George Pataki (R) Betsy McCaughey Ross (D) Quinnipiac December 10, 199754% 29% Quinnipiac February 25, 199859% 26% Quinnipiac March 25, 199857% 30% Quinnipiac June 17, 199863% 26%
with Sheldon Silver Source Date George Pataki (R) Sheldon Silver (D) Quinnipiac September 24, 199755% 29%
Results
Results in New York City
See also Governorship of George Pataki
Notes
References