Empire State Smackdown

The showdown between Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio has been brewing for months, and this summer it boiled over. But it’s not the first clash in the Empire State, and it’s certainly not the worst. So before the state’s two heavyweights finish battering and bloodying each other, City & State presents the biggest, baddest political rivalries in the history of New York.

HAMILTON vs. BURR
Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr
1791-1804

The most notorious rivalry in the history of the state – if not the entire country – began back in 1791, when Aaron Burr knocked Philip Schuyler, Alexander Hamilton’s father-in-law, out of office and took his seat in the U.S. Senate. Hamilton and Burr had much in common: Both served admirably in the Revolutionary War, won elected office in New York and went on to national prominence, Burr as vice president and Hamilton as the first secretary of the Treasury. In 1801, when Burr was tied with Thomas Jefferson for the presidency, Hamilton felt that Burr was unfit for the role and sided with Jefferson, the eventual winner. Hamilton later opposed Burr’s candidacy for governor, spurring their infamous duel in 1804 in which Hamilton was killed.

ROOSEVELT vs. PLATT
Teddy “Rough Rider” Roosevelt and “Boss” Thomas Platt
1898-1900

Teddy Roosevelt was one of the country’s most pioneering presidents, but earlier in his career he was outmaneuvered by one of New York City’s famed political bosses, Thomas Platt. Boss Platt, the leader of the state Republican machine, supported Roosevelt’s first run for governor in 1898, and took credit for his victory. But Platt was taken aback by Roosevelt’s independent streak and his goodgovernment crusades. So the wily Platt conspired to have Roosevelt nominated as the party’s pick for the vice presidency. Roosevelt reluctantly accepted, and his ticket went on to win. But the joke was on Platt: When President William McKinley was assassinated, Roosevelt succeeded him, and spent his presidency busting trusts and fighting corruption.

LINDSAY vs. ROCKEFELLER
John V. Lindsay and Nelson “Rocky” Rockefeller
1966-1973

Like Cuomo and de Blasio, Gov. Nelson Rockefeller and Mayor John Lindsay were members of the same party – but the fact that both men were Republicans didn’t exactly make them best of friends. Rockefeller was governor when Lindsay became mayor, and the relationship began to deteriorate almost as soon as Lindsay began campaigning. In office, the two men attacked each other in the press, sought to outdo each other and clashed repeatedly over funding for New York City. Both men wanted control of the GOP not only in New York but beyond, as each one harbored ambitions on the White House. Lindsay went so far as to back a challenger during one of Rockefeller’s re-election bids, and threatened to have New York City secede from the state. Meanwhile Rockefeller set up a commission to investigate the city. By the time both men left office, the city was on the brink of financial disaster.

KOCH vs. CUOMO
Ed Koch and Mario Cuomo
1977-1981

Mario Cuomo, a Queens lawyer who had recently been elected lieutenant governor, and Ed Koch, a Manhattan congressman, were two relative newcomers who found themselves the last candidates standing in a crowded race for mayor of New York City in 1977, a tumultuous time in the city. The bitter campaign stood out for its name-calling and mud-slinging: In what may be little more than an apocryphal tale, the Cuomo camp was accused of using the slogan “Vote for Cuomo, not the homo” to criticize Koch, who was rumored to be gay. After Koch won the primary, he faced Cuomo again – and won – in the general election. The two battled a third time a few years later when Cuomo beat Koch in the Democratic gubernatorial primary and went on to win in 1982.