New York gubernatorial election, 1958

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The New York gubernatorial election of November 4, 1958 was a sole important Republican victory in a year when the Democratic Party made gains in the midterm election (including winning one of the biggest majorities in the United States Senate).

1 Candidates
2 Voting results
3 Aftermath
4 Sources

[edit] Candidates

Incumbent Governor W. Averell Harriman (Democrat)
Former Assistant Secretary of State and Undersecretary of HEW Nelson Rockefeller (Republican)
1950 and 1954 gubernatorial candidate John T. McManus (Socialist)

Harriman, a formerly prominent diplomat and important figure of the national Democratic Party (he was one of the leading candidates to the 1956 Democratic presidential nomination was initially expected to easily win re-election, due to his position and Democratic-favored political situation.

Rockefeller, a scion of one of the wealthiest families in the world, however, because of his personal wealth, charisma and energetic campaign, became a real danger for Harriman and won the Governorship.

[edit] Voting results

**1958 General election results**
Governor candidate	Running Mate	Party	Popular Vote
Nelson A. Rockefeller	Malcolm Wilson	Republican	3,126,929	(54.74%)
W. Averell Harriman	George DeLuca	Democratic, Liberal	2,553,895	(44.71%)
John T. McManus	Annette T. Rubinstein	Independent-Socialist	31,658	(0.55%)

[edit] Aftermath

Harriman's loss in contrast to big Democratic victory across the country definitively hurt his presidential aspirations. He later returned to diplomatic service, but never held any elective office.

Rockefeller, as a man who won the governorship of a big state in the Democratic year, soon became a leader of the GOP's moderate-to-liberal wing and a Presidential hopeful himself. This election opened the door for his career. Although he was a strong Presidential candidate, he failed to win nomination in 1960, 1964 and 1968. He was, however, appointed Vice President of the United States by Gerald Ford and served in the "number-two" office from 1974 to 1977.