George Pataki Republican George Pataki Republican Pre-consolidation: Post-consolidation: Pre-consolidation: Post-consolidation: The 2002 New York gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 2002.

Republican governor George Pataki was re-elected to a third term, defeating Democrat Carl McCall and Rochester billionaire Tom Golisano, who ran on the Independence Party line.

On Election Day, Pataki was easily re-elected, but fell short of receiving 50% of the vote.

In contrast to the norm for multiple third party campaigns, Golisano did better than his previous elections, receiving 14% of the vote and carrying his home county of Monroe in western New York.

Pataki secured the Republican and Conservative lines, while Golisano successfully defended his hold on the Independence Party ticket.