Legislators have high hopes for Spitzer's successor
With New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer's resignation, Lt. Gov. David Paterson will become the first African-American governor of the state and the fourth in U.S. history. "Like all New Yorkers, I am saddened by what we have learned over the past several days," Paterson, 53, said Wednesday in a statement issued by his office. "On a personal level, Gov. Spitzer and Silda have been close and steadfast friends. As an elected official the governor has worked hard for the people of New York. "My heart goes out to him and to his family at this difficult and painful time," the statement continued. "I ask all New Yorkers to join Michelle and me in prayer for them. "It is now time for Albany to get back to work as the people of this state expect from us." State Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno said in a news conference he had an "excellent relationship" with Paterson, a Democrat. "We're going forward on managing the affairs of the people of this state," said Bruno, a Republican, who under the state Constitution will take over as lieutenant governor. "David is a wonderful young man -- very bright, very intelligent," said Assemblyman Herman Farrell, chairman of the Ways and Means committee. "He would provide good leadership." Others also hold high hopes for Paterson in the wake of the Spitzer scandal. "The public is hoping for that replacement to redeem the office and to redeem their faith in elected officials in general. So David Paterson, in a sense, walks into a great opportunity," said Steve Kornacki of the New York Observer. Paterson is legally blind, and although documentation is scarce, it is widely believed that he will be the nation's first blind governor when he takes office Monday. Paterson was first elected to the New York State Senate in 1985, where he represented the 30th District, encompassing Harlem, East Harlem and the Upper West Side. In November 2002, Paterson was elected New York Senate minority leader. He is the highest-ranking African-American elected official in New York state and is the first nonwhite legislative leader in Albany's history. He addressed the 2004 Democratic National Convention, as well as the U.S. Conference of Mayors that same year. Paterson was elected New York's first African-American lieutenant governor on November 7, 2006, on a ticket headed by Spitzer. As lieutenant governor, Paterson led the administration's charge in several areas, including stem cell research, alternative energy, domestic violence and the role of minority- and female-owned businesses.startclickprintexclude--> David Paterson earned his bachelor's degree in history from Columbia University and got his law degree from Hofstra Law School in 1982. He lives in Harlem with his wife, Michelle Paige Paterson, and their two children, Ashley and Alex. |
Watch how Paterson rose through the ranks »
