Paterson Ready to Take Over Spitzer's Office
Lt. Gov. David Paterson will be the country's first legally blind governor.
NEW YORK March 12, 2008— -- New York State's next governor could not be more different than the man he is about to replace.
Eliot Spitzer famously called himself a "steamroller." David A. Paterson considers himself a conciliator. Spitzer's ambitions for higher office were always well known to those around him. Paterson, by contrast, surprised even his family when he decided to follow his father into politics.
Paterson, the lieutenant governor for 14 months under Spitzer, will move from political understudy to a starring role on Monday when Spitzer leaves office in disgrace after being linked as a client to a prostitution ring.
In his first act as governor-designate, Paterson issued a statement Wednesday about the startling events catapulting him to the pinnacle of power in New York.
"Like all New Yorkers I am saddened by what we have learned over the past several days. On a personal level Governor Spitzer and [his wife] Silda have been close and steadfast friends. As an elected official, the governor has worked hard for the people of New York," Paterson said.
"My heart goes out to him and to his family at this difficult and painful time. 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."
Paterson, 53, will become New York's first African-American governor. He also will be the first-ever legally blind governor. He lost all his sight in his left eye from an infection when he was three months old, and he has extremely limited sight in his right eye.
Paterson is the son of Basil Paterson, an influential power broker and labor lawyer in New York. Basil Paterson served in the state Senate and was the Democrats' unsuccessful nominee for lieutenant governor in 1970. With former Mayor David Dinkins, Rep. Charles Rangel and former Manhattan borough president Percy Sutton, the elder Paterson has been part of the so-called "Harlem Clubhouse" that has been a powerful force in New York politics for nearly 40 years.
Those connections have helped David Paterson climb the political ladder. However, unlike many children who follow their parents into politics, Paterson never was groomed for elected office.
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