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'''David A. Paterson''' (born [[May 20]], [[1954]]) is an American politician and the current [[Lieutenant Governor of New York]]. He is the first [[African American]] and [[blindness|legally blind]] person to hold this position. He was selected as running mate by [[New York State Attorney General|New York Attorney General]] and [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]] nominee [[Eliot Spitzer]] in the [[New York gubernatorial election, 2006|2006 New York gubernatorial election]].
'''David A. Paterson''' (born [[May 20]], [[1954]]) is an American politician and the current [[Lieutenant Governor of New York]]. He is the first [[African American]] and [[blindness|legally blind]] person to hold this position. He was selected as running mate by [[New York State Attorney General|New York Attorney General]] and [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]] nominee [[Eliot Spitzer]] in the [[New York gubernatorial election, 2006|2006 New York gubernatorial election]].


On March 10, 2008, it was disclosed that Gov. Spitzer has been found to be involved in a prostitution ring scandal. Many are speculating that Mr. Spitzer would soon have to resign from his position. If that happens, Mr. Paterson would automatically become the next govenor of NY state and would serve out Mr. Spitzer's unfinished term.
On March 10, 2008, it was disclosed that Gov. Spitzer has been found to be involved in a prostitution ring scandal. Many are speculating that Mr. Spitzer would soon have to resign from his position. If that happens, Mr. Paterson would automatically become the next govenor of NY state and would serve out Mr. Spitzer's unfinished term, which runs through Dec. 31, 2010.


Paterson was born in [[Brooklyn]] in 1954, and lost most of his sight as an infant as the result of an infection. He received a [[bachelor's degree|BA]] from [[Columbia University]] in 1977 and later his [[Juris Doctor|law degree]] from [[Hofstra Law School]]. After law school, he went to work for the [[Queens]] [[District Attorney]]'s Office.
Paterson was born in [[Brooklyn]] in 1954, and lost most of his sight as an infant as the result of an infection. He received a [[bachelor's degree|BA]] from [[Columbia University]] in 1977 and later his [[Juris Doctor|law degree]] from [[Hofstra Law School]]. After law school, he went to work for the [[Queens]] [[District Attorney]]'s Office.

Revision as of 03:40, 11 March 2008

David A. Paterson
File:DavidPaterson.jpg
69th Lieutenant Governor New York
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 1, 2007
GovernorEliot Spitzer
Preceded byMary Donohue
Personal details
Born (1954-05-20) May 20, 1954 (age 70)
Brooklyn, New York
Political partyDemocratic Party
SpouseMichelle Paige Paterson
ProfessionLawyer

David A. Paterson (born May 20, 1954) is an American politician and the current Lieutenant Governor of New York. He is the first African American and legally blind person to hold this position. He was selected as running mate by New York Attorney General and Democratic Party nominee Eliot Spitzer in the 2006 New York gubernatorial election.

On March 10, 2008, it was disclosed that Gov. Spitzer has been found to be involved in a prostitution ring scandal. Many are speculating that Mr. Spitzer would soon have to resign from his position. If that happens, Mr. Paterson would automatically become the next govenor of NY state and would serve out Mr. Spitzer's unfinished term, which runs through Dec. 31, 2010.

Paterson was born in Brooklyn in 1954, and lost most of his sight as an infant as the result of an infection. He received a BA from Columbia University in 1977 and later his law degree from Hofstra Law School. After law school, he went to work for the Queens District Attorney's Office.

In 1985, he joined the campaign staff of David Dinkins for Manhattan Borough President. In October of that year, longtime state Senator Leon Bogues, representing a district covering Manhattan neighborhoods Harlem, Manhattan Valley and the Upper West Side, died and Paterson won a highly competitive New York (Manhattan) County Democratic party Committee selection process to serve the rest of Bogues' term. The following year, 1986, he won the seat for his first full term representing the 29th District in the New York State Senate.

Paterson is the son of former New York Secretary of State Basil Paterson, who was the first African American NYC Deputy Mayor and the first to run for statewide office in New York. Secretary Paterson was the Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor in 1970. The elder Paterson also served in the NY state Senate in the same seat his son occupied. The elder Paterson was also the first African-American vice-chair of the national Democratic Party.[1]

Professional history

In 1993, David Paterson ran citywide for the office of the Public Advocate, the second highest elected office in New York City.

Paterson was elected Senate Minority Leader in 2002, becoming both the first non-white state legislative leader and the highest-ranking black elected official in the history of New York State.

In addition to serving as lieutenant governor, he serves as an adjunct professor at Columbia University's School for International and Public Affairs.[2]

In accordance with New York law, if current Governor Eliot Spitzer resigns following the prostitution scandal (first reported by the New York Times on March 10 2008), Paterson would become the first black governor of New York; the third-ever black governor of a state, following Deval Patrick and Douglas Wilder; and the first legally blind governor in the United States.[3]

Role in Democratic Party politics

A member of the Democratic National Committee and a board member of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, Paterson addressed the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston as well as the Democratic mayors at the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

He has been mentioned in some political circles as a possible successor to Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton should the fellow New York Democrat win the 2008 US presidential election and resign the seat to assume the presidency. Paterson is currently a Democratic party national convention superdelegate and Clinton endorser.[4]

Roles in civic associations and in athletic organizations

Paterson is an active advocate for the visually and physically impaired. He was elected as a member of the American Foundation for the Blind, and also serves as a board member of the Achilles Track Club, having completed the New York City Marathon in 1999.

Personal life

He has a younger brother, Daniel, who is a New York government official. Paterson lives in Harlem with his wife, Michelle Paige Paterson. They have two children: Ashley, who entered Ithaca College in fall, 2006; and Alex, who attends school in New York City.

Paterson is an avid fan of New York sports teams, and has been known to call in to WFAN, a major sports talk radio station in New York City.

During their 2006 campaign, Paterson was involved in a dispute with Spitzer over "turf wars" between staff members.[5]

References

  1. ^ Official website of the Lieutenant Governor http://www.ny.gov/ltgov/index.html
  2. ^ Official website of the Lieutenant Governor http://www.ny.gov/ltgov/index.html
  3. ^ CNBC.com ("10 March 2008). "Spitzer's Successor Would Be NY's First Black Governor". Topics:Politics & Government. CNBC. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ "NY Governor Eliot Spitzer linked to prostitution ring". Blogspot.com. March 10, 2008. Retrieved 2008-03-10.
  5. ^ http://nymag.com/news/intelligencer/23491/
Preceded by New York State Senate, 29th District
1986–2003 		Succeeded by
Preceded by New York State Senate, 30th District
2003–2007 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Lieutenant Governor of New York
2007 - 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
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