Actually, he didn't. On September 18, 2009, advisors to President Barack Obama informed Governor David Paterson that the President believed he should withdraw his 2010 gubernatorial candidacy, stepping aside for "popular Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.
And then a business man upstate ran against him but the media ignored him - except the trash and twisting of truth they are known for. In the November 2, 2010, general election, Cuomo faced Republican Carl Paladino, a Buffalo-based businessman who had been heavily supported by the Tea Party movement. Cuomo won the election for Governor, winning 62% of the vote. Bottom line Cuomo is a bammy boy and can be controlled.
Paladino would have been an excellent governor. Too bad he’s not running again.