2010 New York Governor - Paladino vs. Cuomo

For years, the stepping stone to a major party nomination was to be elected Governor of New York.  From 1876 until 1948, Governors of the state were on the ticket as President or Vice President in 14 of 19 elections (other New Yorkers were on tickets in two of the remaining five elections).  But as the years wore on, New York's prominence faded, and California and Texas replaced the Empire State as the home of Presidents.

In 2006, the state overwhelmingly elected Eliot Spitzer as its President.  But Spitzer was caught up in a prostitution scandal, and the reins of power were transferred to his Lieutenant Governor, David Paterson.  Then Paterson's popularity cratered, leaving an opening for Attorney General Andrew Cuomo to seek the Governor's mansion.

No major Republican stepped up to oppose Cuomo.  Republicans nominated real estate developer Carl Paladino, and early polls showed a tightening race.  But a number of high profile misteps by Paladino seemingly moved the race toward the Democrats, and Cuomo enters the final stretch as the favorite.