George Elmer Pataki, born June 24, 1945, is an American politician and lawyer who served as the 53rd Governor of New York from 1995 to 2006. Raised in upstate New York on his family's farm near Peekskill, Pataki learned values of discipline and hard work early on. He earned a bachelor's degree from Yale University in 1967 and a Juris Doctor from Columbia Law School in 1970. After a brief stint in private practice, he entered public service, working on a Senate task force before being elected mayor of his hometown Peekskill from 1981 to 1984. Pataki's political career advanced rapidly in the New York State Legislature, serving in the Assembly from 1985 to 1992 and the Senate from 1993 to 1994 as a Republican. In 1994, he achieved a stunning upset by defeating three-term Democratic Governor Mario Cuomo, becoming the third Republican to win the New York governorship since 1923. During his three terms, Pataki was known for fiscal conservatism, environmental policies including the Hudson River cleanup, and post-9/11 leadership alongside Mayor Rudy Giuliani. He did not seek re-election in 2006 due to term limits. Post-governorship, Pataki has worked as an attorney, consultant, and businessman, serving on boards such as the Hungary Foundation. He briefly explored a 2016 presidential run but did not gain significant traction. Pataki remains active in Republican circles and public speaking.