Malcolm Wilson (governor)

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Wilson as lieutenant governor. Malcolm Wilson (Governor of New York).jpg
Wilson as lieutenant governor.

In 1958, Wilson decided to support Rockefeller for Governor despite the fact that Rockefeller was new to state politics and had never run for office before. Wilson took pains to introduce Rockefeller to many politically powerful people in the state. They would frequently travel in Wilson's personal car in order to play down the candidate's wealth. Rockefeller was nominated for governor, and Wilson for lieutenant governor.

The Rockefeller-Wilson ticket defeated the incumbent Democrats W. Averell Harriman and George DeLuca. Wilson served as lieutenant governor for nearly 15 years, the entirety of Rockefeller's governorship. The Rockefeller-Wilson ticket was reelected in 1962, 1966 and 1970. Throughout his tenure, he tended to agree with Rockefeller's liberal Republicanism, with the notable exception of abortion, the legalization of which Wilson opposed. Wilson defined himself as "an economic conservative and a human-rights liberal".

Governor of New York

In December 1973, Rockefeller resigned as governor to run the Commission on Critical Choices for Americans, and Wilson assumed the governorship. He completed the remaining year of Rockefeller's term and ran for election to a full term in 1974. The period was a difficult one for the nation, both in terms of economic and foreign policy and for the Republican Party, which was weakened by the Watergate scandal. Democrats swept to power across the nation in the 1974 general election, with Wilson losing the governor's mansion to Hugh Carey, who won with 58% of the vote.

While governor, Wilson worked to improve passenger rail service in the state and under his leadership, New York City-Albany-Montréal and New York City-Buffalo-Detroit service were revived. Concerned that city governments, especially New York City, were financing their budgets with financial sleight-of-hand, Wilson warned New York State's mayors that there would be a reckoning unless they got their fiscal houses in order. His warning turned out to be prescient when New York City was found to be nearly bankrupt, and had to resort to federal assistance to regain a sound footing. But Wilson's concern over government finances turned into a campaign issue for Carey in the 1974 election, when an agency under Wilson's purview, the state's Urban Development Corporation, was discovered to be near bankruptcy. After taking office, Carey accused Wilson of hiding the severity of the crisis, and complained that the Wilson administration had not been helpful or engaged during the transition between governors.

Later life and death

After losing the election, Wilson returned to his legal practice and served as Chairman of the Board and CEO of the Manhattan Savings Bank from 1977 until 1986. [8]

Wilson's wife, Katherine, (née McCloskey) died in 1980. [9] In 1991 Wilson's health deteriorated and he retired to New Rochelle, New York.

Wilson died in New Rochelle on March 13, 2000. His memorial service was held at Holy Family Church in New Rochelle. He was buried at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne, New York.

Personal life

Wilson had two daughters, Katharine, an attorney, and Anne, and six grandsons. Wilson was a Catholic and attended the St. Denis Catholic Church in Yonkers, New York.

Notes

  1. Tappan Zee Bridge Fact Book Archived June 8, 2007, at the Wayback Machine , NYS Thruway Authority
  2. Manual for the Use of the Legislature of the State of New York. Albany, NY: New York Secretary of State. 1962. p. 457. The family moved to Yonkers in 1920, and Mr. Wilson has lived there since.
  3. Manual for the Use of the Legislature of the State of New York. Albany, NY: New York Secretary of State. 1975. p. 475. Malcolm Wilson, Republican of Yonkers...
  4. Reeves, Richard (October 18, 1971). "Malcolm Whatshisname, Our Next Governor?". New York Magazine. New York, NY: NYM Corporation: 61. Malcolm Wilson of 24 Windsor Road, Yonkers...
  5. Martin v. Alverez(Supreme Court, State of New York, Suffolk County2005). Text
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Wilson Ends Navy Service". The Herald Staesman . Yonkers, NY. October 1, 1945. p. 5 via Newspapers.com.
  7. "All 9 State Legislature Seats to GOP". The Daily Times. Mamaroneck, NY. November 8, 1944. p. 3 via Newspapers.com.
  8. Gilpin, Kenneth N. (January 23, 1986). "Business People: Top Management Shifts At Manhattan Savings". The New York Times . New York, NY.
  9. Ralph Blumenthal (January 23, 1980). "Katherine McCloskey Wilson Dies". The New York Times. New York, NY. p. B6. Retrieved November 21, 2010.

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References

Malcolm Wilson
Malcolm Wilson (NY).png
50th Governor of New York
In office
December 18, 1973 December 31, 1974
Party political offices
Preceded by Republican nominee for Governor of New York
1974
Succeeded by
Preceded by Conservative nominee for Governor of New York
1974
New York State Assembly
Preceded by Member of the New York State Assembly
from the Westchester County 5th district

1939–1945
Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the New York State Assembly
from the Westchester County 1st district

1945–1959
Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Lieutenant Governor of New York
1959–1973
Succeeded by
Preceded by Governor of New York
1973–1974
Succeeded by