1942 New York gubernatorial election

The 1942 New York gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1942, to elect the Governor of New York. Incumbent Democratic governor Herbert H. Lehman was not a candidate for re-election. Republican Thomas E. Dewey defeated New York Attorney General John J. Bennett Jr. and Dean Alfange in the general election.

• John J. Bennett Jr., New York Attorney General since 1931
• James M. Mead, incumbent U.S. Senator since 1938

The Democratic state convention met on August 20 at the Hotel St. George in Brooklyn. Influenced by James A. Farley, the convention nominated State Attorney General John J. Bennett Jr., for governor on the first ballot with 623 votes against 393 for U.S. Senator James M. Mead, the candidate favored by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

• Dean Alfange, chair of the American Labor Party and nominee for U.S. Representative in 1941

At the American Labor state convention on August 22, the party declined to nominate Bennett or Mead, and instead nominated Dean Alfange.

• Thomas E. Dewey, former District Attorney of New York County, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and nominee for governor in 1938

At the Republican state convention in Saratoga Springs on August 24, Dewey was nominated unanimously.

• Israel Amter, perennial candidate (Communist)
• John J. Bennett Jr., New York Attorney General since 1931 (Democratic)
• Coleman Cheney, Skidmore College professor of economics (Socialist)
• Thomas E. Dewey, former District Attorney of New York County, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and nominee for governor in 1938 (Republican)
• Aaron Orange, Bronx public school teacher and perennial candidate (Industrial Government)

• 1942 New York state election
• New York gubernatorial elections