What political posts lead to becoming New York’s governor?

In the post-World War II era, New York has had 11 governors, each coming to lead the state with their own set of experiences in elected office. Much like New York City mayor, those past posts have helped prepare them to lead the nation’s fourth-largest state. For political watchers – and ambitious politicians – it also sheds some light on which offices are most likely to lead you to the Executive Mansion. Here are the previous posts that governors have held before taking office.

Thomas Dewey (1943-1954)

The Republican governor served as a prosecutor, largely targeting Mafia crimes in the city, and served as Manhattan district attorney for four years before leading the state.

W. Averell Harriman (1955-1958)

The one-term Democratic governor created a successful Wall Street firm with his brother and was one of only two directors of the Mutual Security Agency, which worked with European allies on economic recovery efforts.

Nelson Rockefeller (1959-1973)

As his last name would suggest, Nelson Rockefeller worked in multiple family-owned businesses and in the federal government in the early decades of his career. Before becoming governor, he came back to New York and chaired the New York State Temporary Commission on the Constitutional Convention.

Malcolm Wilson (1973-1974)

After Rockefeller resigned, his Lt. Gov. Malcolm Wilson took over for about a year.

Hugh Carey (1975-1982)

After his time in the New York National Guard, Hugh Carey represented Brooklyn’s Park Slope, Sunset Park and Bay Ridge neighborhoods for over a decade in the House of Representatives.

Mario Cuomo (1983-1994)

Before his family became a New York Democratic dynasty, Mario Cuomo was a housing lawyer in New York City, New York secretary of state, ran for New York City mayor and immediately preceding his time in the Executive Mansion served as the lieutenant governor under Hugh Carey.

George Pataki (1995-2006)

George Pataki had a long career in local and state politics before being elected governor. He was elected mayor of Peekskill, served in the Assembly and then moved up to the state Senate for two years preceding his election.

Eliot Spitzer (2007-2008)

The well-known “Sheriff of Wall Street,” Eliot Spitzer served as the state’s attorney general for eight years before being elected governor.

David Paterson (2008-2010)

After Eliot Spitzer resigned in disgrace, his Lt. Gov. David Paterson stepped into this leadership post during a chaotic time in Albany.

Andrew Cuomo (2011-2021)

Andrew Cuomo served in the Clinton administration as U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development secretary, but spent four years as the state’s attorney general.

Kathy Hochul (2021-Present)

Kathy Hochul became the state’s first woman governor after serving as lieutenant governor to Andrew Cuomo – who resigned due to a series of sexual harassment allegations and other scandals, which he has denied.