New York governor Andrew Cuomo’s gay marriage victory may give him a boost for the 2016 presidential election.

Five years is a long time in politics and Mr Cuomo has refused to publicly discuss his intentions, calling suggestions of a presidential run “silly”.

Speaking in a radio interview on Monday, he did not rule out the possibility but said: “It’s not about 2016. It’s about the power of the passage of marriage equality.

“I’m not going to engage in this conversation or fuel this speculation.”

Mr Cuomo had promised to legalise gay marriage in the state when he was elected and said he would not introduce a bill until he was sure it would pass.

Furthermore, his approval ratings are high and he has scored a number of other political successes since taking office.

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver has said he sees Mr Cuomo as a candidate in 2016, while others have backed him.

Richard Socarides, a former Clinton White House adviser and president of Equality Matters, told Politico that Cuomo “is the first national figure to embrace” gay marriage “so enthusiastically.”

“Clearly, this establishes him as the most important progressive leader of our party, setting him up very well for 2016,” Mr Socarides said.

Democratic consultant Jason Ralston told The Washington Post that Mr Cuomo’s persistence and ability to gain cross-party support puts him in the running.

“Combine that with his name and his focus on the middle class and he is at the front of the pack for 2016,” he said.