New York Governor David Paterson
Paterson First Black New York Governor After Spitzer Resignation
Mar 12, 2008
David A. Paterson, 53, became the 55th governor of New York state following the resignation of Gov. Eliot Spitzer on March 12, 2008.
Paterson, a Democrat, is the state's first black governor. Paterson is legally blind, but has enough vision in his right eye to walk unaided and can recognize others in close proximity. Spitzer resigned, effective March 17, after being identified by federal investigators as a regular customer of a call-girl service catering to affluent clients.
Paterson was elected to the post of lieutenant governor with running mate Spitzer by a landslide margin in 2006. He was also New York's first black lieutenant governor. Paterson will serve the rest of Spitzer's term, which expires Dec. 31, 2010. Under state law, the lieutenant governor's post will remain vacant until the next general election in 2010.
Paterson was first elected to the New York State Senate in 1985, representing a district that encompasses Harlem. In 2002, he became minority leader in the State Senate, and the first non-white legislative leader in the state's history.
Paterson is the son of Basil Paterson, an African-American leader in New York City with close ties to a Harlem-based political organization that helped candidates like former New York Mayor David Dinkins get elected.
In 2004, David Paterson became the first visually impaired person to address the Democratic National Convention, held in Boston, Mass. He is recognized as a leading advocate for the visually and physically impaired. Paterson is a member of the American Foundation for the Blind. In 2007, legislation in New York established an Executive Board of the Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped to examine the services available to individuals who are blind or visually handicapped.
As lieutenant governor, Paterson was a prime mover behind legislation that earmarked $600 million for a New York stem cell research initiative. He also took a lead role in formulating a statewide renewable energy strategy and as an advocate for minority- and women-owned businesses in New York state.
Paterson serves as a member of the Democratic National Committee and as a board member of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee. He is also a member of the Achillies Track Club and completed the New York City Marathon in 1999.
Peterson is well regarded on both sides of the aisle in Albany, and has a reputation as an easy-going lawmaker, in direct contrast of the perception many had of Spitzer, who was seen as abrasive.
"David has always been very open with me, very forthright...I look forward to a positive, productive relationship," Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, Spitzer's main rival, told the Associated Press.
Paterson was born on May 20, 1954, in Brooklyn, N.Y. He earned his bachelor's degree in history in 1977 from Columbia University, and completed his J.D. at Hofstra Law School in 1982. Peterson serves as an adjunct professor at the Columbia University School for International and Public Affairs.
Paterson lives in Harlem with his wife, Michelle Paige Paterson, and their two children, Ashley and Alex.
"Throughout his career he has demanded and achieved change, reaching across party lines and bringing people together," according to Paterson's official New York State Web page.
