In 1993, Cuomo passed up the opportunity to be appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court, choosing instead to run for a fourth term as governor. He lost in 1994.
His death touched people across the political spectrum.
“Our country and our region lost a giant today with the passing of Governor Mario Cuomo. He was a strong, eloquent leader who loved New York and its people. As an Italian-American, he was also a role model for future generations that anything was possible through hard work and education,” New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said in a statement.
The Rev. Al Sharpton remembered the former governor as “the last liberal giant of New York politics.”
“He was a philosopher at heart that always saw the bigger picture. Even when we would engage in debate I felt he was playing chess while I was playing checkers,” he said. “Mario, you have earned it and your place in history is secure. You can now sleep with the greats.”
