Mary Donohue | |
|---|---|
| Lieutenant Governor of New York | |
| In office January 1, 1999 – December 31, 2006 | |
| Governor | George Pataki |
| Preceded by | Betsy McCaughey Ross |
| Succeeded by | David Paterson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1947-03-22)March 22, 1947 (age 78) Troy, New York, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Anthony Ricci |
| Education | College of New Rochelle Russell Sage College Albany Law School (JD) |
| Profession | Politician; judge; attorney; teacher |
Mary O'Connor Donohue (born March 22, 1947) is an American retired educator, attorney, politician and judge. A Republican, she served aslieutenant governor of New York from 1999 to 2006.
Donohue graduated from theCollege of New Rochelle and received a master's degree in Education fromRussell Sage College. In 1983, she received aJuris Doctor degree fromAlbany Law School.[1]
Donohue is a former teacher and lawyer who was once an aide to State Senate Majority LeaderJoseph Bruno.[2] In addition to working for Bruno, Donohue served as an Assistant County Attorney inRensselaer County. During her time in the county attorney's office, she worked on Family Court and juvenile justice issues.[1]
Donohue served as thedistrict attorney ofRensselaer County for several years in the 1990s. During her two terms as district attorney, she prosecuted over 5,000 cases a year. Donohue handled several cases herself.[2]
In 1996, she was elected as a justice of theNew York State Supreme Court.[2] Serving as a state judge, Donohue handled both civil and criminal cases. She resigned from her judgeship in 1998 when New York Gov. George Pataki asked her to seek election as lieutenant governor of New York.[1]
Donohue was selected as the running mate to Republican Gov. George Pataki in his 1998 re-election bid.[3] She and Gov. Pataki won their 1998 election[4] and were re-elected in 2002.[5] Donohue served as thelieutenant governor of New York from 1999 to 2006.[6]
When Donohue became lieutenant governor, Gov. Pataki appointed her to head a special task force on school violence issues.[1]
In 2000, Pataki appointed Donohue to chair a task force on quality communities in New York.[1]
On March 3, 2006, Donohue informed reporters that her name had been submitted by Pataki to PresidentGeorge W. Bush for nomination to aUnited States District Court judgeship in Upstate New York.[7]
On December 13, 2006, Pataki nominated Donohue to a seat as a judge of theNew York Court of Claims.[8] She was confirmed that day by the State Senate for term expiring in March 2015. Court of Claims Judges preside over lawsuits against the State of New York and various independent state agencies. She took office as a judge after her term as lieutenant governor expired at midnight on December 31, 2006. She retired from the Court of Claims in May 2009.[9]
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Lieutenant Governor of New York 1999–2006 | Succeeded by |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Independence Party Nominee for Lieutenant Governor of New York 2002 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Republican Party Nominee for Lieutenant Governor of New York 1998 and 2002 | Succeeded by C. Scott Vanderhoef |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
