NY-GOV 2002: H.Carl McCall beats George Pataki

[Suburbia]

New York State Comptroller H. Carl McCall, 66, wins the 2002 N.Y. governor's election in a shocker, defeating New York Gov. George Pataki, denying him a third term. What happens next to McCall's governorship and New York politics?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_McCall

https://web.archive.org/web/20100926110929/http://old.nationalreview.com/dreher/dreher090402.asp

http://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/30/nyregion/mccall-and-pataki-preach-to-the-choirs.html

[Kingpoleon]

Carl McCall/Mike Arcuri: 44.0%
George Pataki/Randy Daniels: 43.7%
Tom Golisano/Frank MacKay: 11.9%
Others: 0.4%

I imagine that, in this scenario, Convent Capital and the Letterhead controversy might lead to McCall’s impeachment.

[NewYorkExpress]

If Andrew Cuomo had stuck around, and won the primary, he would have had a better chance at beating Pataki. I just don't see McCall pulling it off.

Best case scenario for McCall (IMO)

McCall/Mehiel (D,WFP) 44%
Pataki/Donohue (R,C,IN) 43.7%
Golisano/Donohue (I) 11%
Other 1.3%

If Cuomo wins the nomination:

Andrew Cuomo/Anthony Maisello (D,WFP) 47%
Pataki/Donohue (R,C,IN) 45%
Golisano/Donohue (I) 7.75%
Other 0.25%

[Lechasseur]

If Andrew Cuomo had stuck around, and won the primary, he would have had a better chance at beating Pataki. I just don't see McCall pulling it off.

Best case scenario for McCall (IMO)

McCall/Mehiel (D,WFP) 44%
Pataki/Donohue (R,C,IN) 43.7%
Golisano/Donohue (I) 11%
Other 1.3%

If Cuomo wins the nomination:

Andrew Cuomo/Anthony Maisello (D,WFP) 47%
Pataki/Donohue (R,C,IN) 45%
Golisano/Donohue (I) 7.75%
Other 0.25%

I think Cuomo's numbers there are also a best case scenario, but I agree with you, he would have had a better shot at winning than McCall

[Suburbia]

I think McCall could have beaten Pataki especially since Gov. Pataki was seen as laconic and low-energy. Post-9/11 couldn't have helped him, there was some disillusionment with the NY economy before 9/11.

McCall would have probably been a one-term governor, but NY's Democratic trend would have won him reelection in 2006.

He should have run for reelection as State Comptroller, the corrupt Alan Hevesi wouldn't have won the NYS comptroller job.