[12] On February 26, 2010, however, Paterson withdrew his bid for a full term as governor of New York "amid crumbling support from his party and an uproar over his administration’s intervention in a domestic violence case involving a close aide".

[13] Democratic New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo was widely rumored to be considering a 2010 gubernatorial bid.

Though he had originally denied any interest,[14] this did not stop rampant speculation that Cuomo would change his mind and enter the race.

[17][18] After over a year of dodging speculation, Cuomo finally announced his candidacy on May 22, 2010, outside the Tweed Courthouse at New York's City Hall.

[19] Dutchess County legislator Joel Tyner ran an unsuccessful petition drive that fell short of the 15,000 signatures necessary to get onto the primary ballot.

Credico, in response, called McMillan a "jack-off" and a "sorry ass", accusing him of "working against me", "turn[ing] in a wagonload of blank pages and then [leaving] Albany in brand new automobiles.

[35] Other Democrats mentioned as potential candidates include Ramapo town supervisor Christopher St. Lawrence,[36][37] State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-Yonkers),[38] Buffalo mayor Byron Brown,[39] State Senator Darrel Aubertine,[40] and Canandaigua businessman Bill Samuels.

[49][50][51] Other potential 2010 Republican gubernatorial candidates included former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Erie County Executive Chris Collins.

[60] After Collins passed on the race, activist Rus Thompson persuaded developer Carl Paladino to consider running for governor.

[62] At the June 2010 Republican Convention, Lazio won the support of 59% of the delegates and was designated the Party's candidate for Governor.

On the Republican side, Lazio endorsed Chautauqua County executive Greg Edwards as his choice for lieutenant governor on May 17, 2010.

[77][78] Other Republicans mentioned as potential candidates included Orange County executive Edward A. Diana,[79] Monroe County executive Maggie Brooks, former New York Secretary of State Christopher Jacobs (Steve Levy's preferred running mate,[80] Onondaga County executive Joanie Mahoney,[76] 2006 lieutenant governor candidate C. Scott Vanderhoef (who instead ran for State Senate), and Myers Mermel (who later opted to run for governor instead.

In somewhat of a surprise move, the party nominated its own members for all but one statewide elected office, and did not cross-endorse Democrats as usual.

The party nominated United Auto Workers lawyer Kenneth Schaffer as its nominee for governor in June 2010.