Mario Cuomo – the former New York Governor and father of current New York Governor Andrew Cuomo – died on the first day of 2015 at the age of 82.
The 52nd governor of New York, Mario Cuomo, past away just a few hours after his son, Andrew, was formally sworn in to a second term as the current New York governor. Governor Cuomo initially had planned for a swearing-in celebration in Albany but immediately changed plans to spend New Years Eve with his ailing father, according to Newsday.
Mario Cuomo held the governorship for three terms (1983 – 1994), which makes him the longest running governor in New York history. As a democrat his political agenda teetered between fiscally conservative and liberally responsible. That means when he cut taxes it frustrated many democrats and when he created social programs – like housing, environmental and health care – it irritated republicans.
But the Italian catholic kid from Queens’ biggest political accomplishment that catapulted him to presidential hopeful was challenging President Reagan’s “Trickle Down” policies. Even though Cuomo was highly coveted by the democrats to run for the 1988 presidential election he turned it down to continue serving as New York’s most favored governor.
Mario Cuomo is survived by his wife Matilda Raffa, and his kids Margaret, Maria, Andrew (54th Governor of NY), Madeline and Chris.
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