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'''Mario Matthew Cuomo''' (June 15, 1932 – January 1, 2015) was the governor of [[New York]] from 1983 through 1994. Cuomo was defeated in his bid for a fourth term by the little-known [[Republican]] [[George Pataki]] in the election of 1994, despite New York being an overwhelmingly [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] state and despite Republican [[New York City]] Mayor [[Rudy Giuliani]] crossing party lines and endorsing Cuomo.

'''Mario Matthew Cuomo''' (June 15, 1932 – January 1, 2015) was the governor of [[New York]] from 1983 through 1994. Cuomo was defeated in his bid for a fourth term by the little-known [[Republican]] [[George Pataki]] in the election of 1994, despite New York being an overwhelmingly [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] state and despite Republican [[New York City]] Mayor [[Rudy Giuliani]] crossing party lines and endorsing Cuomo.

Born and raised in [[Queens|Queens, New York]], Cuomo earned a law degree from St. John's School of Law and became an assistant to Judge Adrian P. Burke of the New York State Court of Appeals. Cuomo first gained attention in the early 1970s when he represented residents of the Forest Hills section of Queens when they opposed the construction of a public-housing development in that neighborhood. After unsuccessfully seeking the [[Lieutenant Governor]]ship in 1974, he was appointed [[Secretary of State (U.S. state government)|New York Secretary of State]] in 1975 by Governor Hugh Carey. He went on to be defeated for the Democratic nomination for mayor of New York City by [[Ed Koch]] in 1977. Cuomo was, however, elected Lieutenant Governor the following year and was elected governor in 1982 and then reelected in 1986 and 1990. After giving a well-received keynote address at the 1984 Democratic National Convention he was mentioned as a possible [[president]]ial [[candidate]]; however, he declined to run.

Born and raised in [[Queens|Queens, New York]], Cuomo earned a [[law]] degree from St. John's School of Law and became an assistant to Judge Adrian P. Burke of the New York State Court of Appeals. Cuomo first gained attention in the early 1970s when he represented residents of the Forest Hills section of Queens when they opposed the construction of a public-housing development in that neighborhood. After unsuccessfully seeking the [[Lieutenant Governor]]ship in 1974, he was appointed [[Secretary of State (U.S. state government)|New York Secretary of State]] in 1975 by Governor Hugh Carey. He went on to be defeated for the Democratic nomination for mayor of New York City by [[Ed Koch]] in 1977. Cuomo was, however, elected Lieutenant Governor the following year and was elected governor in 1982 and then reelected in 1986 and 1990. After giving a well-received keynote address at the 1984 Democratic National Convention he was mentioned as a possible [[president]]ial [[candidate]]; however, he declined to run.

As Governor, Cuomo was an unwavering supporter of [[pro-abortion|abortion rights]] and a proponent of the social [[welfare state]]. He strongly opposed [[capital punishment]] during a high-crime era. His liberal policies caused millions to move away from New York, and it had one of the highest tax rates, highest taxpayer-funded [[abortion]] rates, and worst business climates of any state in the nation.<ref>http://www.willkie.com/professionals/c/cuomo-mario-m</ref>

As Governor, Cuomo was an unwavering supporter of [[pro-abortion|abortion rights]] and a proponent of the social [[welfare state]]. He strongly opposed [[capital punishment]] during a high-crime era. His liberal policies caused millions to move away from New York, and it had one of the highest tax rates, highest taxpayer-funded [[abortion]] rates, and worst business climates of any state in the nation.<ref>http://www.willkie.com/professionals/c/cuomo-mario-m</ref>