Jump to content

David Paterson

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

David Paterson
Paterson at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival
55th Governor of New York
In office
March 17, 2008 – December 31, 2010
LieutenantJoseph Bruno (acting)
Dean Skelos (acting)
Malcolm Smith (acting)
Pedro Espada Jr. (acting)
Richard Ravitch
Preceded byEliot Spitzer
Succeeded byAndrew Cuomo
Lieutenant Governor of New York
In office
January 1, 2007 – March 17, 2008
GovernorEliot Spitzer
Preceded byMary Donohue
Succeeded byJoseph Bruno (acting)
Chair of the New York State Democratic Committee
In office
May 21, 2014 – November 4, 2015
Preceded byKeith L. T. Wright
Succeeded bySheila Comar
Minority Leader of the New York State Senate
In office
January 1, 2003 – December 31, 2006
Preceded byMartin Connor
Succeeded byMalcolm Smith
Member of the New York State Senate
In office
December 10, 1985 – December 31, 2006
Preceded byLeon Bogues
Succeeded byBill Perkins
Constituency29th district (1985–2002)
30th district (2003–2006)
Personal details
Born
David Alexander Paterson

(1954-05-20) May 20, 1954 (age 70)
Brooklyn, New York City, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouses
(m. 1993; div. 2014)
Mary Galda
(m. 2019)
Children2
ParentBasil Paterson
EducationColumbia University (BA)
Hofstra University (JD)
Signature

David Alexander Paterson (born May 20, 1954)[1] is an American politician and attorney who served as the 55th governor of New York, succeeding Eliot Spitzer, who resigned, and serving out nearly three years of Spitzer's term from March 2008 to December 2010. A member of the Democratic Party, he was the first legally blind person to be sworn in as governor of a U.S. state,[2] and the first African-American governor of New York.

Following his graduation from Hofstra Law School, Paterson worked in the District Attorney's office of Queens County, New York, and on the staff of Manhattan borough president David Dinkins. In 1985, he was elected to the New York State Senate to a seat once held by his father, former New York Secretary of State Basil Paterson. In 2003, he rose to the position of Senate minority leader. Paterson was selected to be the running mate of Democratic gubernatorial nominee Eliot Spitzer in the 2006 New York gubernatorial election.[3] Spitzer and Paterson were elected with 65% of the vote, and Paterson took office as lieutenant governor on January 1, 2007.

After Spitzer resigned in the wake of a prostitution scandal, Paterson was sworn in as governor of New York state on March 17, 2008. Paterson held the office of governor during the Great Recession, and he implemented state budget cuts. He also made two significant appointments: In January 2009, he appointed then-U.S. representative Kirsten Gillibrand to a vacant U.S. Senate seat, and, in July 2009, he appointed Richard Ravitch as lieutenant governor. Paterson launched a campaign for a full term as governor in the 2010 New York gubernatorial election, but he announced on February 26, 2010, that he would bow out of the race. During the final year of his administration, Paterson faced allegations of soliciting improper gifts and making false statements; he was eventually fined in excess of $62,000 for accepting free New York Yankees tickets. He was not charged with perjury.[4]

Since leaving office, Paterson has been a radio talk show host and chairman of the New York Democratic Party from May 2014 to November 2015. In late 2020, he published his first book, entitled Black, Blind, & in Charge: A Story of Visionary Leadership and Overcoming Adversity.[5]

Early life and education

[edit]

Paterson was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Portia Hairston Paterson, a homemaker, and Basil Paterson, a labor law attorney. Basil Paterson was later a New York state senator for Harlem, secretary of state under Hugh Carey, and deputy mayor of New York City for Ed Koch.[6] According to a New York Now interview, Paterson traces his roots on his mother's side of the family to pre–Civil War African American slaves in the states of North Carolina and South Carolina.[7] His paternal grandmother, a Jamaican, Evangeline Rondon Paterson,[8] was secretary to Black Nationalist leader Marcus Garvey. His paternal grandfather was Leonard James Paterson,[9] a native of Carriacou[10] who arrived in the United States aboard the S.S. Vestris on May 16, 1917.[11] It was reported by The Genetic Genealogist in March 2008 that Paterson had recently undergone genetic genealogy testing.[12] Part of his father's ancestry consists of immigrants from England, Ireland, and Scotland, while his mother's side includes Eastern European Jewish ancestry, as well as ancestors from the Guinea-Bissau region of West Africa.[12]

At the age of three months, Paterson contracted an ear infection that spread to his optic nerve, leaving him sightless in his left eye and with severely limited vision in his right.[6][13] Since New York City public schools would not guarantee him an education without placing him in special education classes, his family bought a home in the Long Island suburb of South Hempstead so that he could attend mainstream classes there. Paterson was the first student with a disability in the Hempstead public schools, graduating from Hempstead High School in 1971.[14][15][16][17]

Paterson earned a Bachelor of Arts in history from Columbia College of Columbia University in 1977 and a Juris Doctor from Hofstra Law School in 1983.[14] After law school, he went to work for the Queens District Attorney's Office, but he did not pass the New York bar examination, which prevented him from becoming an attorney at law. He claimed that his failing the New York bar was partially the result of insufficient accommodation for his visual impairment, and has since advocated for changes in bar exam procedures.[16]

New York State Senate (1985–2006)

[edit]

On August 6, 1985, state senator Leon Bogues died, and Paterson obtained the Democratic party nomination for the seat. In mid-September, a meeting of 648 Democratic committee members on the first ballot gave Paterson 58% of the vote, giving him the party nomination. That October, Paterson won the virtually uncontested special State Senate election.[18][19] At the time, the 29th Senate district covered the Manhattan neighborhoods of Harlem, Manhattan Valley, and the Upper West Side, the same district that Paterson's father had represented.[14] He was re-elected ten times, and remained in the state senate until 2006, sitting in the 186th, 187th, 188th, 189th, 190th, 191st, 192nd, 193rd, 194th, 195th, and 196th New York State Legislatures.[20][21]

Paterson briefly ran in the Democratic primary for the office of New York City Public Advocate in 1993, but he was defeated by Mark Green.[22]

Senate minority leader (2003–2006)

[edit]

Paterson was elected Minority Leader by the Senate Democratic Conference on November 20, 2002, becoming both the first non-white state legislative leader and the highest-ranking black elected official in the history of New York. Paterson unseated the incumbent minority leader, Martin Connor. Paterson became known for his consensus-building style and sharp political skills.[23]

Describing Paterson's tenure in the Senate, The New York Times cited his "wit, flurries of reform proposals and unusual bursts of candor".[24]

2006 gubernatorial election

[edit]

In 2006, Paterson was selected by New York attorney general and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Eliot Spitzer as his running mate. The news stunned the New York political world, as the Democratic minority was poised to possibly take over the state legislature. Paterson traded the possibility of becoming Senate majority leader for the opportunity to hold the largely ceremonial lieutenant governor post.[25] During their 2006 campaign, Paterson resolved a dispute with Spitzer over turf wars between staff members.[26] The Spitzer–Paterson ticket won a landslide victory in the election, with 65.7% of the vote. It was the largest margin of victory in a gubernatorial race in New York history, and the second-largest for any statewide race in New York history.[27]

In late December 2006, shortly before being sworn in as lieutenant governor, Paterson said that, if he ever succeeded Spitzer as governor, he and Nelson A. Rockefeller would have something besides the governorship in common: great difficulty in reading. Rockefeller was dyslexic, and Paterson compared this to his own blindness.[28]

Lieutenant Governor of New York (2007–2008)

[edit]

Paterson took office as lieutenant governor on January 1, 2007.[29]

Stem-cell research

[edit]

Paterson led Spitzer's successful 2007 legislative effort to approve a bond issue that will provide at least $1 billion toward stem-cell research. Spitzer and Paterson touted the measure partly for its economic development benefits, following California's $3 billion effort, which in turn had been prompted by the U.S. federal government halting funding for such research.[30]

Voting rights

[edit]

In September 2007, Paterson weighed in on a proposal before the New York City Council to extend voting rights to noncitizens.[31] He told a crowd gathered at the West Indian American Day Carnival Parade that he believed noncitizens should be granted voting rights.[32] He stressed that he was asking for a change in policy, rather than a new law, citing that, although 22 states and territories between 1776 and 1920 allowed the practice, none do now.[33] Spitzer issued a statement expressing that he did not agree with Paterson's position, and he said that he was unaware that Paterson would be speaking on the matter.[34] Paterson had tried to introduce legislation granting voting rights to noncitizens as a State Senator fifteen years earlier.[31][35]

Racial discrimination lawsuit

[edit]

In February 2008, a U.S. District Judge denied a motion to dismiss a racial-discrimination lawsuit naming Paterson. A white photographer claimed he was fired by Paterson due to his race.[36][37] The lawsuit was settled in 2009 for $300,000.[38]

Governor of New York (2008–2010)

[edit]

In the midst of a prostitution scandal, Governor Eliot Spitzer resigned his position effective March 17, 2008.[39] Following Spitzer's resignation, Paterson was sworn in as the 55th governor of New York, at the New York State Capitol on March 17, 2008,[40] by New York chief judge Judith Kaye.[41]

Paterson was the first black governor in the history of the state of New York and the fourth black governor in the history of the United States (the first three being the Reconstruction-era P. B. S. Pinchback of Louisiana, Virginia's Douglas Wilder, and Massachusetts's Deval Patrick). The lieutenant governor's office remained vacant until September 22, 2009, when the New York Court of Appeals ruled in a 4–3 decision that Paterson's appointment of Richard Ravitch was constitutional.[42]

Paterson speaks during the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

Paterson is the second legally blind[43] governor of a U.S. state (the first was Bob C. Riley, who was acting governor of Arkansas for 11 days in January 1975).[44][45] During his tenure, Paterson's staff read documents to him over voice mail.[46]

On July 17, 2008, Paterson was the keynote speaker addressing the 99th annual convention of the NAACP in Cincinnati, Ohio.[47]

On October 24, 2008, Paterson's top aide, Charles J. O'Byrne, resigned from his post[48] following the revelation that he owed nearly $300,000 in back taxes.[49] O'Byrne admitted to having failed to pay taxes for five years.[48]

Although Paterson is a lifelong Democrat who was considered a liberal in the state Senate, he earned praise from some conservatives during his time as governor for making major spending cuts; for providing mandate relief; for enacting an inflation-indexed property tax cap and a school tax "circuit breaker"; and for his appointment of Blue Dog Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand to a vacant seat in the United States Senate.[50][51][52][better source needed]

Executive Chamber

[edit]
The Paterson Executive Chamber
OfficeNameTerm
GovernorDavid Paterson2008–2010
Lieutenant GovernorRichard Ravitch2009–2010
Secretary to the GovernorCharles J. O'Byrne2008–2008
General CounselTerryl Brown-Clemens2008–2010
Communications DirectorRisa Heller2008–2010
Director of State OperationsDennis Whalen2008–2010
Chief of StaffJon Cohen2008–2010
Office of the Attorney GeneralAndrew Cuomo2008–2010
Office of the Inspector GeneralJoseph Fisch2008–2010
Office of the ComptrollerThomas DiNapoli2008–2010
Department of Agriculture and MarketsPatrick Hooker2008–2010
Department of BankingRichard H. Neiman2008–2010
Department of Civil ServiceNancy G. Groenwegen2008–2010
Department of Corrections and Community SupervisionBrian Fischer2008–2010
Department of Environmental ConservationAlexander Pete Grannis2008–2010
Education Department Richard P. Mills2008–2010
Department of HealthRichard F. Daines2008–2010
Insurance DepartmentEric R. Dinallo2008–2010
Department of LaborM. Patricia Smith2008–2010
Department of Motor VehiclesDavid Swarts2008–2010
Department of Military & Naval AffairsMaj. Gen. Joseph J. Taluto2008–2010
Department of Public ServiceGary A. Brown2008–2010
Secretary of StateRuth Noemí Colón (Acting)2010–2010
Department of Taxation and FinanceRobert L. Megna2008–2010
Department of TransportationAstrid C. Glynn2008–2009

First days as governor

[edit]

Paterson ascended to the governor's office during the busiest legislative period of the year. The state is required by law to pass its budget prior to April 1.[53] He had only two weeks to negotiate with lawmakers a proposal to close a $4.7 billion deficit and pass a $124 billion budget from the Spitzer administration.[54] He stated in his inauguration speech that it would be his top priority.[55]

Paterson made reference in his speech to the economic woes being faced in the United States, calling them a "crisis", and promised to "adjust the budget accordingly".[56] Since 1984, New York State has only passed a budget on time once, in 2005, leading Paterson to call for an "end to the dysfunction in Albany" in his speech, echoing a 56-page study from the nonpartisan New York University School of Law's Brennan Center for Justice, which referred to the legislature as "the least deliberative and most dysfunctional in the nation".[57][58][59]

Paterson quickly signed five pieces of legislation on his first day in office: to add the New York State Department of Labor to the New York City Transit Track Safety Task Force; to eliminate a law that discouraged employers from holding blood drives; to change the way in which members are appointed to a state health and research board; to restore eligibility caps to certain senior employment programs; and to grant tax exemptions to several local development corporations in New York State.[60] Paterson appointed Christopher O. Ward to be executive director of the Port Authority on May 22, 2008.[61] Ward was successful in turning around construction at World Trade Center Site, and started the process of turning Farley Post Office into Moynihan Station.[62]

One day after Paterson's inauguration as the governor of New York, both he and his wife acknowledged having had extramarital affairs, one with a state employee.[63]

Same-sex marriage

[edit]

In May 2008, Paterson informed New York State agencies that they were required to recognize same-sex marriage licenses from other jurisdictions for purposes of employee benefits.[64] The governor's directive was purportedly based upon a decision from New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division's Fourth Department.[64] The governor's directive did not receive widespread public attention until weeks after the directive was given.[65] At that time, the governor's decision provoked public reaction on both sides of the issue. While Paterson's directive received widespread approval from same-sex marriage supporters,[66] it was met with criticism from conservative legislators and from same-sex marriage opponents, one of whom referred to the directive as Paterson's "first major blunder" as governor.[67][68] Then-Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno and others accused Paterson of having overstepped his bounds and usurped the authority of the legislature.[67] Paterson reportedly described same-sex marriage as "beautiful", and contended that his decision was "the right thing to do"; the governor was enthusiastically cheered when he attended the 2008 gay-pride parade in Manhattan.[69][70][71]

On June 3, 2008, a lawsuit was filed by the Alliance Defense Fund challenging the governor's directive.[72] On September 2, 2008, Justice Lucy A. Billings of the State Supreme Court in the Bronx issued a decision that Paterson acted within his powers when he required state agencies to recognize same-sex marriages from outside New York State. In her dismissal of the Alliance Defense Fund suit, Justice Billings found that the governor's order was consistent with state laws on the recognition of marriages from outside the state.[73]

In April 2009, it was revealed that Paterson would propose legislation to legalize same-sex marriage in New York.[74] Paterson later tapped former Senate Majority Leader and former political foe Joseph Bruno to support same-sex marriage in Albany.[75] On December 2, 2009, same-sex marriage legislation was "overwhelmingly" defeated on the floor of the New York State Senate by a vote of 24 to 38; no Republican voted yes, eight Democrats voted no.[76][77] The Daily News described the defeat as a "major blow", while The New York Times stated that the defeat "all but ensures that the issue is dead in New York until at least 2011, when a new Legislature will be installed."[76][77]

In late 2010, before the January 2011 expiration of his term as governor, Paterson reached out to members of the New York State Senate in an attempt to gauge support for the passage of same-sex marriage legislation during a lame-duck session of the Legislature; however, the governor came to the conclusion that passage of the bill during the lame-duck session was not feasible.[78] When asked what would have to occur for same-sex marriage to be legalized in New York, Paterson responded, "Get rid of the lobbyists," and added that same-sex marriage advocates had "forced" a Senate floor vote prematurely in December 2009.[78]

New York fiscal crisis

[edit]

In March 2008, Paterson warned that New York state faced its worst fiscal crisis since 2001.[79] On July 29, Paterson gave a rare televised address that was broadcast on all of New York's major news networks, stating that the state budget deficit had gone up $1.4 billion over the 90 days since his original budget submission, citing rising costs due to the poor economy and a struggling Wall Street, and calling the state legislature back to Albany for an emergency session starting on August 19, 2008.[80][81][82] He also warned that the budget deficit was estimated to grow 22 percent by 2011.[83] With AIG on the verge of collapse on September 16, 2008, and in the aftermath of Lehman Brothers filing for bankruptcy, Paterson publicly lobbied for a government bailout of the insurance giant.[84] He hit the cable networks early[85] and was quoted by media around the world.[86][87][88]

Paterson revised Spitzer's record-size executive budget proposal to cut spending. Budget negotiations carried over past the deadline, causing the new governor to lament that too many lawmakers were "unwilling to make serious cuts to our budget".[89] On April 10, 2008, a $121.7 billion budget package was passed by both houses of the state legislature. The budget closed a projected $4.6 billion deficit with $1.8 billion of spending cuts, $1.5 billion in additional revenue from increased taxes and fees and $1.3 billion of one time transfers, and did not tap into the state's $1.2 billion of reserves or increase the top income tax rate on those earning $1 million or more.[89] Paterson's budget provided property tax relief, delivered aid to municipalities, and restored hundreds of millions in property tax rebates for middle-class homeowners and $1 billion for upstate economic development.[90] The budget provided for a tuition remission program for military veterans, offering them free tuition at both SUNY and CUNY institutions.[91][92] Paterson called the 2008 budget proposal "too big and too bloated", and he said he would work to convince the legislature to stop what he saw as unsustainable growth.[93]

In April 2008, Paterson asked the heads of all state agencies to cut their budgets by 3.35%, threatened a hiring freeze, and asked legislative leaders to follow suit.[94][95]

At his first State of the State address in January 2009, Paterson said "My fellow New Yorkers: let me come straight to the point—the state of our state is perilous. New York faces an historic economic challenge, the gravest in nearly a century. ... The pillars of Wall Street have crumbled. The global economy is reeling. Trillions of dollars of wealth have vanished."[96] New York faced a budget deficit of $15 billion, and state debt approached $55 billion.[97][better source needed] Paterson's budget proposal called for dramatic across-the-board cuts to various state agencies; he described those cuts as "deep and painful".[98] Paterson proposed to close the 81-year-old Reynolds Game Farm, in Tompkins county, the state's only remaining pheasant facility, but changed course following criticism from sportsmen's groups.[99][100][101][102]

In March 2009, Paterson announced that in light of the fiscal crisis, he would take a 10% pay cut.[103]

Appointment of U.S. senator

[edit]
Paterson visiting Kabul in December 2008.

After being nominated for the position on December 1, 2008, Senator Hillary Clinton was confirmed as United States Secretary of State by the United States Senate. Clinton resigned her Senate seat on January 21, 2009, to assume the Cabinet post.[104] By mandate of the New York Constitution, Paterson was tasked with appointing a temporary replacement until a special election in 2010 for the conclusion of the term of her Class 1 seat.

Persons mentioned in the media as potential appointees included U.S. Representative Gregory Meeks, former State Comptroller H. Carl McCall, William C. Thompson, Jr., Byron Brown, Representative José E. Serrano, Representative Nydia M. Velázquez,[105] Representative Nita Lowey, Representative Carolyn B. Maloney, former Hillary Clinton aide Leecia Eve, United Federation of Teachers president Randi Weingarten, Representative Kirsten Gillibrand, and political heiress Caroline Kennedy.[106][107][108] While New York Attorney General and former United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Andrew Cuomo refused to publicly declare his interest in the seat, he attracted a plurality of support from polled New Yorkers to take the seat.[109] Cuomo was cited by some analysts as a savvy Senate appointee because his appointment might dissuade him from mounting a primary challenge against Paterson in the 2010 gubernatorial election.[110][111] Paterson acknowledged on January 20, 2009, that Cuomo was indeed under consideration for the appointment.[112]

It was reported on December 5, 2008, that Paterson had spoken with Kennedy regarding her interest in the Senate seat.[113] However, Kennedy abruptly withdrew her name from consideration on January 21, 2009.[114] Up until her withdrawal, which Kennedy said was based on "personal reasons",[115] the high-profile, well-connected daughter of former President John F. Kennedy was widely considered the front-runner for the nomination.[116] After Kennedy removed herself from consideration, some reports indicated that Paterson "never intended" to pick Kennedy, having come to consider her "unready" for the seat after a series of media misfires.[117][118][119] Some sources and analysts doubted the reports' veracity, calling the Paterson camp's denials of any interest in appointing Kennedy "misdirection".[120]

On January 23, 2009, Paterson chose Gillibrand—a moderate upstate representative from a largely conservative district—to fill Clinton's vacated seat.[121] The Kennedy family criticized Paterson's handling of the appointment.[122] Although Gillibrand's appointment was praised by some (including Schumer, New York's senior senator;[123] President Obama;[124] and Clinton herself,[125]) others criticized Paterson's choice, calling Gillibrand "sharp-elbowed",[126] "too conservative",[127] and "unliked".[128] Others, including liberal New York Times editorialist Maureen Dowd[129] and New York Magazine writer Chris Smith,[130] criticized Paterson's "peculiar" and "dithering" handling of the Senate appointment and suggested it was a cynical way of rallying upstate support for re-election. Paterson later admitted that he personally ordered his staff to contest Caroline Kennedy's version of events in the hours after she withdrew from consideration to be United States senator.[131]

Appointment of new lieutenant governor

[edit]

Due to the ongoing leadership crisis in the New York State Senate, in which the Senate tied with 31 Democratic votes and 31 Republican votes, with no presiding officer to break the tie, Paterson announced on July 8, 2009, that he would appoint Richard Ravitch, a former chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, to be lieutenant governor.[132] On August 20, 2009, however, a four-judge panel of the New York State Appellate Division, Second Judicial Department, ruled that Paterson had no legal authority to name a lieutenant governor, and that the lieutenant governor position could not be filled in any way other than via an election. On September 23, 2009, the New York Court of Appeals reversed the Appellate Division's decision, holding Paterson's appointment of Ravitch to be constitutional.[133]

Aqueduct Race Track

[edit]

In January 2010, Paterson awarded a contract to operate a 4,500-slot machine racino at the Aqueduct Race Track to Aqueduct Race Track Entertainment Group (AEG) in Queens. The selection AEG led to accusations of favoritism. The New York State inspector general, Joseph Fisch, said the state government showed "militant indifference" to the public's best interest. Fisch criticized Paterson for delegating the process to his aides, who Fisch said did not keep him properly informed.[134]

On March 9, 2010, Paterson recused himself from the case, saying that he was doing so on the advice of his lawyers.[135] On the same day, investors Floyd Flake and Jay-Z withdrew from AEG. Flake had a 0.6% share.[136]

Allegations of corruption

[edit]

In February 2010, The New York Times reported that Paterson may have been involved in witness tampering in a domestic-abuse case involving staffer David W. Johnson after New York State Police and Paterson allegedly talked to the complainant in an attempt to persuade her to drop the case. Paterson was said to have asked the woman if she needed any help a day before the case was dropped.[137] On February 26, 2010, Paterson withdrew his bid for a full term as governor of New York.[138]

In March 2010, the New York State Commission on Public Integrity asked Attorney General Andrew Cuomo to investigate allegations that Paterson had solicited an unlawful gift of free New York Yankees tickets.[139] He also faced allegations that he had lied under oath to the Commission on Public Integrity in 2010 during an investigation about the Yankees tickets.[140]

Following the "twin scandals", a poll showed that fewer than half of New Yorkers believed Paterson should remain in office. Despite this, Paterson announced on March 5, 2010, that he intended to remain in his post until his term in office concluded at the end of the year.[141]

Paterson was not criminally charged in connection with his witness interaction in the Johnson domestic abuse matter.[142] On December 20, 2010, the Commission on Public Integrity found that Paterson had lied about accepting five free World Series tickets and fined him $62,125.[143]

Saturday Night Live

[edit]

After the Weekend Update sketch featuring David Paterson aired in 2009 on the NBC show Saturday Night Live, Paterson was upset by the way the sketch portrayed him, stating that it was an offensive stereotype to those who were visually impaired.[144] On the 36th-season premiere of Saturday Night Live (aired September 25, 2010), Paterson appeared in the Weekend Update sketch alongside Fred Armisen, who was comedically portraying Paterson.[145]

2010 gubernatorial election

[edit]

In October 2008, Paterson launched a campaign website and announced his intention to run for a full term as governor.[146][better source needed] Paterson's prime Republican opponent was expected to be former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani.[147] By February 2009, after the prolonged Senate appointment process, a Siena College poll indicated that Paterson was losing popularity among New Yorkers and showed Giuliani with a fifteen-point lead in a hypothetical contest.[148] In April 2009, a Quinnipiac poll found that 60% of voters disapproved of Paterson's performance (the worst-ever rating for a New York governor); 53% believed that Paterson should withdraw his candidacy for the gubernatorial election.[149] In an August 21, 2009, radio interview, Paterson suggested that his low popularity was caused by racism and added that Gov. Deval Patrick of Massachusetts had received a similar reception.[150] Paterson added that President Barack Obama would be the next African-American elected official to suffer from poor approval due to his skin color. The White House asked Paterson to tone down his comments on race, but less than 24 hours later, Paterson said: "[One] very successful minority is permissible; but when you see too many success stories, then some people get nervous."[151] Giuliani never ran for Governor.[152] Eventually, Republicans nominated Carl Paladino.[152]

On September 18, 2009, advisors to President Barack Obama informed Paterson that the President believed Paterson should withdraw his 2010 gubernatorial candidacy and clear a path for "popular Attorney General Andrew Cuomo" to run.[153] According to The New York Times, Obama was worried that Paterson's continued unpopularity could hinder the campaigns of New York's Democratic congressmembers and could also topple Democratic control of the state legislature. The Times cited a potential gubernatorial run by Giuliani as another reason for the Obama administration's request. On September 19, 2009, Paterson insisted he was still running.[154] He reiterated his position on February 9, 2010, saying, "[The] only way I'm not going to be governor next year is at the ballot box and the only way I'll be leaving office before is in a box".[155] On February 26, 2010, however, Paterson withdrew his bid for a full term as governor of New York "amid crumbling support from his party and an uproar over his administration's intervention in a domestic violence case involving a close aide".[138] Later in 2010, Cuomo became the Democratic nominee for governor of New York and won the election in a landslide over Paladino.[156]

Later career

[edit]

After leaving office at the end of 2010, Paterson appeared on New York radio station WOR on a number of occasions as a substitute talk-show host, filling in for morning host John Gambling.[157] On September 1, 2011, the station announced that Paterson would become the regular weekday afternoon drive-time host beginning on September 6.[158] He replaced Steve Malzberg. In December 2012, Paterson was let go from his radio show at WOR after Clear Channel purchased the station.[159]

In 2012, then-governor Andrew Cuomo appointed Paterson to the board of the Metropolitan Transit Authority. Paterson was confirmed to this post in June 2012.[160]

In July 2013, Paterson said that he might run for Congress if U.S. Representative Charles Rangel retired.[161] In December 2013, however, Paterson stated that he had "no intention of running for Congress in the 13th District, either now or in the future".[162]

Paterson was appointed in 2013 to be a distinguished professor of health care and public policy, at Touro College, in Harlem, and to advise the Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine on public policy issues.[163] Paterson was a director for investments with Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, a financial services holding company.[164]

In early 2014, Paterson unveiled his portrait that hangs in the Hall of Governors in the New York State Capitol.[165]

In May 2014, Andrew Cuomo appointed Paterson chairman of the New York Democratic Party.[166] On October 7, 2015, Paterson announced that he would leave that position following the November elections.[167] Paterson oversaw victories in the 2014 state elections, where Democrats held the governor, attorney general, and comptroller positions.[168]

Paterson released his book Black, Blind, & In Charge: A Story of Visionary Leadership and Overcoming Adversity in late 2020. The book discussed not only his life, but the figures around him and the history that affected him.[5]

In the 2021 New York City Democratic mayoral primary, Paterson endorsed the eventual winner of the primary, Eric Adams.[169]

In the fall of 2021, the Waterfront Alliance, chaired by former Paterson appointee Christopher O. Ward, named Paterson the Hero of the Harbor.[170]

In August 2022, New York Governor Kathy Hochul planted a tree in Paterson's honor at the New York State Executive Mansion.[171] Paterson endorsed Kathy Hochul in the 2022 New York gubernatorial election.[172]

In March 2023, a building on Eagle Street, in Albany, New York was named after Governor Paterson to commemorate the 15th anniversary of assuming the governorship.[173] In 2024, Paterson and his band played a show in the building named after him in Albany.[174]

Personal life

[edit]

In 1992, Paterson and Michelle Paige married. Two years later, they had a son.[175] The couple separated in 2012 and divorced in July 2014.[176]

In 2019, Paterson married Mary Sliwa in New York City in a ceremony officiated by former New York Mayor David N. Dinkins at The Water Club.[177]  Their family includes three children.

In October 2024 Paterson and his step-son Anthony Sliwa who is also the son of Curtis Sliwa were assaulted in New York City's Upper East Side by a group of four men and one woman resulting in them suffering minor injuries. Two adults and two minors were later charged in the incident.[178][179]

Paterson is Catholic.[180]

Works

[edit]
  • Paterson, David A. (September 29, 2020). Black, Blind, & in Charge: A Story of Visionary Leadership and Overcoming Adversity. New York: Skyhorse Publishing. ISBN 9781510756335. OCLC 1201201412.[181]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Roberts, Sam (March 12, 2008). "Lieutenant Governor Has a History of Defying the Public's Expectations". The New York Times. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
  2. ^ Chan, Sewell (March 14, 2008). "First Legally Blind Governor? Not Quite". Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  3. ^ Healy, Patrick D. (January 23, 2006). "Spitzer Asks State Senator From Harlem to Join Ticket". The New York Times. Retrieved March 11, 2008.
  4. ^ "Paterson won't face perjury charges". Politico. Associated Press. May 21, 2011.
  5. ^ a b "Governor David Paterson: 'Black, Blind and in Charge'". thirteen.org. October 21, 2020. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  6. ^ a b Mandelaro, Jim (March 13, 2008). "Paterson inspires pride at School for the Blind in Batavia". Democrat and Chronicle. Retrieved March 18, 2008.
  7. ^ "New York Now interview with David Paterson, February 2008". Youtube. March 13, 2008. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved October 2, 2010.
  8. ^ "Social Security Death Index [database on-line]". United States: The Generations Network. 1985. Retrieved July 17, 2008.
  9. ^ "Social Security Death Index [database on-line]". United States: The Generations Network. 1968. Retrieved July 17, 2008.
  10. ^ "World War I Draft Registration Card [database on-line]". United States: The Generations Network. June 5, 1917. Retrieved July 17, 2008.
  11. ^ "New York Passenger Lists, 1820–1957 [database on-line]". United States: The Generations Network. May 16, 1917. Retrieved July 17, 2008.
  12. ^ a b "DNA Testing of New York's New Governor David Paterson". The Genetic Genealogist. March 14, 2008.
  13. ^ Nichols, David (March 12, 2008). "David Paterson: Activist, Progressive...Governor". The Nation. Retrieved March 18, 2008.
  14. ^ a b c Salmon, Stephanie. "10 Things You Didn't Know About David Paterson". U.S. News & World Report. Archived from the original on March 13, 2008. Retrieved March 11, 2008.
  15. ^ Henderson, Nia-Malika (March 12, 2008). "Paterson was standout student who beat the odds". Newsday. Archived from the original on March 14, 2008. Retrieved March 27, 2008. At Fulton School, Paterson was at the forefront of integrating the school system, both because of his race and disability... From Fulton School, Paterson went onto Hempstead High School, where he graduated in 1971. In the 1969 yearbook, Paterson is in the radio club. During his years at the high school, the population was integrated, yet white flight was becoming apparent, students recalled.
  16. ^ a b Smith, Ben (February 12, 2006). "Spitzer's Mate David Paterson Is Mystery Man". The New York Observer. Retrieved March 10, 2008.
  17. ^ Bishop, Eric; Corasaniti, Nick; Mainland, Alexis; Rueb, Emily S.; Vega, Tanzina; Wheaton, Sarah (March 15, 2008). "From Harlem to Albany" (Flash). The New York Times. p. 4th slide. Retrieved March 27, 2008. 1971... He becomes the first legally disabled person to attend the district's public schools and graduates from Hempstead High School in three years.
  18. ^ "Ex-Prosecutor Is Nominated For a Manhattan Senate Seat". The New York Times. September 16, 1985. Retrieved March 17, 2008.
  19. ^ Chan, Sewell (March 11, 2008). "David A. Paterson, Next in Line". The New York Times. Retrieved March 18, 2008.
  20. ^ "New York City Senate Districts (1992)" (PDF). The New York State Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 11, 2008. Retrieved March 19, 2008.
  21. ^ "New York City Senate Districts (2002)" (PDF). The New York State Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 11, 2008. Retrieved March 19, 2008.
  22. ^ Fried, Joseph P. (September 8, 1993). "Running for an Old Job That Has a New Game – Biography". The New York Times. Retrieved March 16, 2010.
  23. ^ Confessore, Nicholas; Peters, Jeremy W. (March 13, 2008). "Hope for Harmony in a Shaken Albany". The New York Times.
  24. ^ Hakim, Danny; Rashbaum, William K. "Times Topics: David A. Paterson". The New York Times. Retrieved March 12, 2008.
  25. ^ Cooper, Michael (January 25, 2006). "For a Politician in a Position to Gain Power, a Stunning Move". The New York Times. Retrieved March 17, 2008.
  26. ^ Gray, Geoffrey (October 30, 2006). "Spitzer's Peace With Paterson". New York. Retrieved March 10, 2008.
  27. ^ Healy, Patrick (November 8, 2006). "Clinton and Democrats Sweep Races in New York". The New York Times. Retrieved March 17, 2008.
  28. ^ Roberts, Sam (December 27, 2007). "Paterson & Son, Offices in Harlem and Albany". The New York Times. Retrieved March 17, 2008.
  29. ^ "Elections 2006: Governor / New York". CNN. Retrieved March 17, 2008.
  30. ^ Confessore, Nicholas (January 16, 2007). "Spitzer Wants New York to Enter the Stem Cell Race". The New York Times. Retrieved March 10, 2008.
  31. ^ a b Paybarah, Azi (September 3, 2007). "Paterson, Without Spitzer Administration, Praises Non-Citizen Voting". The New York Observer. Archived from the original on December 27, 2007.
  32. ^ Rae, Leah (March 11, 2008). "David Paterson on immigration". Journal News. Archived from the original on December 22, 2008. Retrieved March 24, 2008.
  33. ^ Hayduk, Ron; Michele Wucker (November 2004). "Immigrant Voting Rights Receive More Attention". Migration Information Source.
  34. ^ Danis, Kirsten (September 4, 2007). "Lt. Gov. David Paterson for granting noncitizens right to vote". Daily News.
  35. ^ Pierre-Pierre, Gary (September 6, 1993). "West Indians Adding Clout At Ballot Box". The New York Times.
  36. ^ Benjamin, Elizabeth (February 18, 2008). "Discrimination Suit Against Senate Dems Moves Forward". Daily News. Archived from the original on March 22, 2008. Retrieved March 12, 2008.
  37. ^ "Maioriello v. New York, Northern District of New York. 2008. No. 1:05-CV-1062". Daily News. Archived from the original (MS Word Document) on April 11, 2008.
    Slip Copy, 2008 WL 398483 (N.D.N.Y.). February 12, 2007. United States District Court, N.D. New York. Maioriello v. New York. (Joseph MAIORIELLO, Plaintiff, v. NEW YORK State, New York State Senate, New York State Senate Minority, Defendants. N.D.N.Y., 2008. No. 1:05-CV-1062 (NAM/DRH)).
  38. ^ Confessore, Nicholas (May 2, 2009). "State Officials to Pay $300,000 to Settle Race-Bias Suit". The New York Times.
  39. ^ Spector, Joseph. "Behind the scenes: The Capitol chaos when Eliot Spitzer resigned 10 years ago". Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.
  40. ^ Confessore, Nicholas (March 17, 2008). "Paterson Is Sworn In as Governor". The New York Times. Retrieved March 20, 2008.
  41. ^ Paterson, David (March 17, 2008). "Remarks to a Joint-Session of the New York State Legislature". Governor of New York. Archived from the original on March 22, 2008. Retrieved March 17, 2008.
  42. ^ Peters, Jeremy W. (September 22, 2009). "The New York Times: Court, 4-3, Upholds Paterson's Appointment of Lieutenant Governor". Cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com. Retrieved October 2, 2010.
  43. ^ Kryszak, Joyce (March 17, 2008). "Paterson Takes Oath of Office, Promises to Restore Trust". WBFO. Archived from the original on August 7, 2011. Retrieved March 17, 2008.
  44. ^ "Nation Mourns: David Paterson Isn't First Blind Governor After All". Wonkette. March 14, 2008. Retrieved October 2, 2010.
  45. ^ Chan, Sewell (March 14, 2008). "First Legally Blind Governor? Not Quite".
  46. ^ Aviv, Rachel (December 30, 2009). "Listening to Braille". The New York Times. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
  47. ^ Spector, Joseph. "Paterson To Give Keynote This Morning At NAACP Conference Archived July 21, 2011, at the Wayback Machine". The Journal News. July 17, 2008.
  48. ^ a b Lovett, Kenneth (October 24, 2008). "Gov. Paterson's top aide Charles O'Byrne resigns after admitting to failing to pay taxes". nydailynews.com.
  49. ^ Confessore, Nicholas; Hakim, Danny (October 24, 2008). "Paterson Aide Quits in Furor Over His Taxes". The New York Times.
  50. ^ Spector, Joseph. "Conservatives applaud Paterson Archived January 16, 2009, at the Wayback Machine". The Journal News. July 30, 2008.
  51. ^ Spector, Joseph. "Gillibrand draws praise, criticism[permanent dead link]". Ithaca Journal. January 24, 2009.[dead link]
  52. ^ Goddard, Taegan. "Republicans Approve of Gillibrand Pick[permanent dead link]". Political Wire. January 26, 2009. [dead link]
  53. ^ Peters, Jeremy W. (March 17, 2008). "Paterson Is Calling the Shots on Swearing-In". The New York Times.
  54. ^ Thompson, Maury (March 18, 2008). "Paterson: It's time to get to work". Post Star.
  55. ^ Goldman, Henry (March 17, 2008). "Paterson to Focus on New York Budget in First Days as Governor". Bloomberg L.P. Archived from the original on June 13, 2010.
  56. ^ Gralla, Joan (March 17, 2008). "NY new governor says economy headed toward a crisis". Reuters.
  57. ^ Creelan, Jeremy and Moulton, Laura. "The New York State Legislative Process". Brennan Center for Justice, New York University School of Law. July 21, 2004. Retrieved on February 28, 2008.
  58. ^ McMahon, E.J. (October 2005). "Breaking the Budget in New York State". Policy Briefing. Manhattan Institute. No. 3. Archived from the original on March 9, 2008. Retrieved March 19, 2008.
  59. ^ "Paterson must hit the ground running to move state ahead". Star Gazette. March 18, 2008. Retrieved March 18, 2008.
  60. ^ Anderson, Liz (March 17, 2008). "Day: one. Bills: five". Journal News. Archived from the original on March 23, 2008. Retrieved March 18, 2008.
  61. ^ "Paterson Ready to Tap Chris Ward as Port Authority Director". The New York Observer. May 2, 2008. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  62. ^ Rubinstein, Dana (August 2011). "The problem with Port Authority boss Chris Ward is that he doesn't owe Andrew Cuomo a thing". Politico PRO. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  63. ^ "N.Y. governor: State employee among my several affairs". CNN. March 18, 2008. Archived from the original on March 21, 2008. Retrieved March 22, 2008.
  64. ^ a b Paybarah, Azi (May 29, 2008). "Paterson's Message on Same-Sex Marriage". Observer.com. Archived from the original on June 5, 2008. Retrieved July 14, 2008.
  65. ^ Peters, Jeremy (May 29, 2008). "New York to Back Same-Sex Unions From Elsewhere". The New York Times.
  66. ^ Naanes, Marlene (May 29, 2008). "New Yorkers applaud Guv's gay marriage stance". Newsday. Archived from the original on June 1, 2008. Retrieved July 14, 2008.
  67. ^ a b Confessore, Nicholas (May 30, 2008). "Gay Marriage Opponents Consider Ways to Fight New Policy". The New York Times.
  68. ^ Senison, Heather (May 30, 2008). "Strong reactions on both sides of gay marriage debate". Legislative Gazette. Archived from the original on June 4, 2008. Retrieved July 14, 2008.
  69. ^ Stashenko, Joel (May 30, 2008). "N.Y. Governor Defends Recognition of Other Jurisdictions' Gay Marriages". Law.com.
  70. ^ Peters, Jeremy (June 30, 2008). "Celebrating Gay Pride and Its Albany Friend". The New York Times.
  71. ^ Rentas, Khadijah; Gaskell, Stephanie (June 30, 2008). "Governor Paterson is cheered at city's Gay Pride Parade". Daily News. Archived from the original on July 3, 2008. Retrieved July 14, 2008.
  72. ^ "Group, lawmakers sue governor over same-sex marriage directive". Ithaca Journal. June 4, 2008. p. 6A.
  73. ^ Confessore, Nicholas (September 2, 2008). "Court Backs Paterson Regarding Gay Unions". The New York Times.
  74. ^ Melas, Chloe (April 14, 2009). "New York governor to propose legalizing same-sex marriage". CNN.
  75. ^ Amira, Dan (June 8, 2009). "Can Joe Bruno Rescue Gay Marriage?". Nymag.com. Retrieved October 2, 2010.
  76. ^ a b Benjamin, Elizabeth (December 2, 2009). "Gay Marriage Fails, 24–38". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on May 26, 2013. Retrieved December 2, 2009.
  77. ^ a b Peters, Jeremy W. (December 2, 2009). "New York State Senate Votes Down Gay Marriage Bill". The New York Times.
  78. ^ a b Kaplan, Thomas (December 1, 2010). "Paterson Gives Up Push to Legalize Gay Marriage". The New York Times.
  79. ^ Gralla, Joan (March 18, 2008). "UPDATE 1-NY's Paterson sees worst fiscal crisis since 9/11". Reuters. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
  80. ^ Press Release from Governor Paterson's office on the official NY State website. Retrieved July 30, 2008. Archived August 5, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  81. ^ Times Union blog of July 29, 2008. Retrieved July 30, 2008.
  82. ^ Karlin, Rick, "Paterson: 'Time to act': Citing fear of budget disaster, governor recalls Legislature," Albany Times-Union, July 30, 2008. Retrieved July 30, 2008. [dead link]
  83. ^ Paterson: State Deficit Up $1.4B Over Last 90 Days WCBS. July 29, 2008.
  84. ^ "Fed offers $85 billion rescue plan to AIG". KTKA.com. September 16, 2008. Retrieved October 2, 2010.
  85. ^ "Governor Paterson Weighs In on the AIG Situation". Glick Report. Archived from the original on September 20, 2008. Retrieved October 2, 2010.
  86. ^ "US government rescues insurer AIG". BBC News. September 17, 2008. Retrieved May 1, 2010.
  87. ^ Clark, Andrew (September 17, 2008). "US government steps in to rescue insurance giant AIG". The Guardian. London. Retrieved May 1, 2010.
  88. ^ "La Fed sauve l'assureur américain AIG de la faillite". Le Monde. Paris. September 17, 2008. Retrieved October 2, 2010.
  89. ^ a b Quint, Michael. "New York's Paterson, Lawmakers Agree on State Budget Archived January 22, 2009, at the Wayback Machine". Bloomberg L.P. April 9, 2008.
  90. ^ Gallagher, Jay and Spector, Joseph. "$124 billion state budget plan expected to pass today". Poughkeepsie Journal. April 9, 2008. Archived July 14, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
  91. ^ Neroulias, Nicole. "New York's new budget funds veterans tuition assistance Archived April 21, 2008, at the Wayback Machine". Journal News. April 10, 2008.
  92. ^ "Part N – Amend the Education Law in relation to tuition assistance for veterans Archived April 15, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, Memorandum in Support Article VII Legislation, Education, Labor, and Family Assistance Archived April 10, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, Enacted Budget, 2008–09 "New York State Executive Budget" Archived April 10, 2008, at the Wayback Machine. New York State Division of the Budget. Retrieved April 11, 2008. "2008-09 Memorandum in Support - Elfa". Archived from the original on April 15, 2008. Retrieved April 11, 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  93. ^ Paybarah, Azi (April 8, 2008). "Paterson Vows to Address M.T.A. Soon, Spending in Budget, Next Year". The New York Observer. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
  94. ^ Governor Paterson Urges State Leaders To Follow His Lead In Reducing Next Year's State Budget Archived January 9, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  95. ^ "Paterson Asking Legislative Leaders for Budget Cuts". The New York Observer. April 24, 2008. Archived from the original on May 11, 2008. Retrieved October 2, 2010.
  96. ^ Plotch, Philip Mark. Politics Across the Hudson: The Tappan Zee Megaproject. Rutgers University Press, New Jersey (2015). p. 130
  97. ^ McNichol, Elizabeth, and Lay, Iris. "States Continue to Feel Recession's Impact". Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. January 16, 2009.
  98. ^ Precious, Tom. "Paterson proposes dramatic spending cuts, higher taxes and fees". Buffalo News. December 16, 2008. Archived December 17, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  99. ^ Vielkind, Jimmy. "The Pheasants Are Saved! For the Hunters". The New York Observer. January 16, 2009.
  100. ^ "Ball urges Governor to retain 'only remaining pheasant farm' Archived June 11, 2011, at the Wayback Machine". Mid Hudson News. January 4, 2009.
  101. ^ Nelson, Dick. "Sportsmen seek injunction against DEC". The Daily Mail (Greene Country). January 12, 2009.
  102. ^ Figura, David. "Gov. Paterson makes it official: the Reynolds Game Farm will not be closed". The Post-Standard. January 16, 2009.
  103. ^ "Lawmakers react to governor's pay cut". CNYCentral.com. March 7, 2009.
  104. ^ Tumulty, Brian (January 21, 2009). "Clinton sworn in at State Dept. and then resigns Senate". The Journal News. Archived from the original on February 1, 2009.
  105. ^ Chan, Sewell; Richard Pérez-Peña (January 22, 2007). "If Clinton Should Win, Who Would Take Her Place?". The New York Times. Retrieved November 23, 2008.
  106. ^ Hakim, Danny (October 4, 2007). "Wishing and Hoping for Clinton's Seat". The New York Times. Retrieved November 23, 2008.
  107. ^ Parker, Billy. "Latest Possible Hillary Successor is Leecia Eve Archived January 13, 2009, at the Wayback Machine". Gothamist. November 22, 2008.
  108. ^ "Why Gov. Paterson Should Have Named Lesbian Randi Weingarten to the Senate". Queerty.com. January 23, 2009. Retrieved October 2, 2010.
  109. ^ "Poll: New Yorkers Prefer Cuomo Over Kennedy for U.S. Senate Seat". Fox News. April 7, 2010. Archived from the original on January 24, 2009. Retrieved October 2, 2010.
  110. ^ "Senator Cuomo looms as Dame Caroline fades". Donklephant.com. January 15, 2009. Archived from the original on July 8, 2012. Retrieved October 2, 2010.
  111. ^ Halbfinger, David M. (January 24, 2009). "As Willing Bridesmaid, Cuomo Plays Against Type". The New York Times. New York State. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
  112. ^ Paterson: Cuomo being considered for Senate seat Archived February 3, 2009, at archive.today
  113. ^ "NYC mayor praises Caroline Kennedy". ABC Inc., WABC-TV/DT New York, NY. December 8, 2008. Archived from the original on January 29, 2009. Retrieved December 8, 2008.
  114. ^ "Caroline Kennedy withdraws Senate bid". Hurriyet.com.tr. January 23, 2009. Retrieved October 2, 2010.
  115. ^ "Kennedy Is a Drop Out; Gov. Disputes Reason". ABC News.
  116. ^ Sources: Caroline Kennedy Front-Runner for Hillary Clinton Senate Seat Archived December 22, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  117. ^ "The Times & The Sunday Times". Timesonline.co.uk. Retrieved March 11, 2021.[dead link]
  118. ^ Gormley, Michael (December 30, 2008). "Kennedy criticized after her latest tour". Findarticles.com. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
  119. ^ "Vetting raised issues about Kennedy, source says". Orlando Sentinel. January 23, 2009.
  120. ^ Hakim, Danny (January 22, 2009). "Paterson Is Set to Name Senate Pick". The New York Times. New York State. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
  121. ^ "Paterson Names Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand to Clinton's Former U.S. Senate Seat". Foxnews.com. April 7, 2010. Archived from the original on January 24, 2009. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
  122. ^ Lovett, Kenneth; Lauinger, John; Katz, Celeste (January 25, 2009). "Senator-designate Kirsten Gillibrand praises Caroline Kennedy". New York: Nydailynews.com. Archived from the original on February 3, 2009. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
  123. ^ Tom Caprood (January 24, 2009). "Gillibrand colleagues support her appointment". Troyrecord.com. Archived from the original on February 20, 2012. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
  124. ^ "New York governor announces Gillibrand as new senator". the Guardian. January 23, 2009.
  125. ^ "HRC (and others) react to Gillibrand". MSNBC. Archived from the original on January 26, 2009. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
  126. ^ Odonnell, Lawrence (January 23, 2009). "New York's Next Senator: Opposed to the Obama Agenda". Huffingtonpost.com. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
  127. ^ Mcshane, Larry; Lovett, Kenneth; Benjamin, Elizabeth (January 23, 2009). "Who is Kirsten Gillibrand? New York congresswoman to take Clinton's Senate seat". Nydailynews.com. Archived from the original on February 3, 2009. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
  128. ^ Colgrass, Neal (January 23, 2009). "Ambitious Gillibrand Disliked by Peers". Newser. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  129. ^ Dowd, Maureen (January 24, 2009). "Which Governor Is Wackier?". The New York Times. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
  130. ^ Smith, Chris (January 24, 2009). "The Zany Adventures of (Senator) Caroline Kennedy". Nymag.com. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
  131. ^ Hakim, Danny (February 20, 2009). "Paterson Had Staff Deny Kennedy Was Top Choice". The New York Times. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
  132. ^ Jeremy Peters; Danny Hakim (July 8, 2009). "Paterson to Name Ex-M.T.A. Chief as Lieutenant Governor". The New York Times.
  133. ^ Peters, Jeremy W.; Chan, Sewell (September 22, 2009). "In 4-3 Vote, Court Says Paterson Can Appoint Lt. Governor". The New York Times. Retrieved May 1, 2010.
  134. ^ Bagli, Charles V. (October 21, 2010). "Report Criticizes Senators on Casino in Queens". The New York Times. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
  135. ^ "Paterson Recuses Himself From Racino Project". New York Daily News. March 9, 2010. Archived from the original on June 4, 2011. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
  136. ^ Fung, Amanda (March 9, 2010). "Rev. Flake, rapper Jay-Z exit sinking Aqueduct bid". crainsnewyork. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
  137. ^ William K. Rashbaum; Danny Hakim; David Kocieniewski; Serge F. Kovaleski; Kitty Bennett; Alain Delaquérière; Barbara Gray (February 25, 2010). "Question of Influence in Abuse Case of Paterson Aide". The New York Times. Retrieved March 7, 2010.
  138. ^ a b Hakim, Danny; Barron, James (February 26, 2010). "Paterson Drops Out of Governor Race". The New York Times. Retrieved February 26, 2010. Gov. David A. Paterson announced on Friday afternoon that he was suspending his election campaign and would not run in November.
  139. ^ "N.Y. Gov. Slapped for 'Free' Yankees Tickets". ABC News.
  140. ^ Confessore, Nicholas; Peters, Jeremy W. (March 3, 2010). "David Paterson Misled Inquiry on Gifts, New York Panel Says". The New York Times.
  141. ^ "NY's Gov. Paterson Says He's Not Resigning". ABC News.
  142. ^ Long, Colleen; Virtanen, Michael (July 28, 2010). "N.Y. Gov. Paterson won't face criminal charges". msnbc.com. Archived from the original on September 7, 2019.
  143. ^ Halbfinger, David M. (December 20, 2010). "Paterson Fined $62,125 Over World Series Tickets". The New York Times.
  144. ^ "David Paterson: SNL Insensitive To Disabled". The Huffington Post. February 12, 2009. Retrieved March 2, 2011.
  145. ^ Schapiro, Rich (September 26, 2010). "Gov. David Paterson makes surprise 'Saturday Night Live' visit to mock himself, Albany". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on September 29, 2010. Retrieved September 26, 2010.
  146. ^ "David Paterson". Paterson for Governor Inc. Archived from the original on September 27, 2008. Retrieved July 30, 2008.
  147. ^ "Giuliani says decision on governor's race unlikely before summer". CNN. January 13, 2009. Archived from the original on January 26, 2009. Retrieved May 1, 2010.
  148. ^ Ryan, Tom (February 24, 2009). "New York governor trails rival Cuomo in latest poll". Reuters. Retrieved March 16, 2010.
  149. ^ "NY gov Paterson's approval rating a record low-poll". uk.reuters.com. April 6, 2009. Archived from the original on August 21, 2018. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
  150. ^ "Paterson blames racism for his unpopularity". Newsday. New York. August 21, 2009. Retrieved March 16, 2010.
  151. ^ "Ignoring White House Request, Paterson Rants Again". Archived from the original on August 28, 2009.
  152. ^ a b Hakim, Danny (November 19, 2009). "Giuliani Said to Decide Against Run for Governor". The New York Times. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  153. ^ "Obama cordial but cool to Gov. David Paterson". Newsday.com. September 21, 2009. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
  154. ^ Hernandez, Raymond (September 19, 2009). "Paterson Says He Will Run, Rejecting Call From Obama". The New York Times. New York State. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
  155. ^ "David Paterson: I'll Only Leave Office 'In a Box'". CBS News. February 9, 2010.
  156. ^ Confessore, Nicholas (November 2, 2010). "Cuomo Beats Paladino in New York Governor's Race". The New York Times.
  157. ^ Katz, Celeste. "Radio Free (David) Paterson". nydailynews.com.
  158. ^ "DAVID PATERSON ELECTED NEW PM-DRIVE HOST". WOR710.com. September 1, 2011. Archived from the original on October 8, 2011.
  159. ^ "Clear Channel Layoffs Begin at WOR; David Paterson and Joy Browne Axed". Adweek. December 20, 2012. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
  160. ^ "Former New York Governor David Paterson joins MTA Board | ABC13 Houston | abc13.com". ABC13 Houston.
  161. ^ "Ex-New York Governor David Paterson considers run for Congress". POLITICO. Associated Press. July 23, 2013. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  162. ^ "David Paterson Passes on Congressional Campaign". The New York Observer. December 10, 2013.
  163. ^ Feeney, Michael J. (March 4, 2013). "Former Gov. David Paterson Returns to 125th St. in Harlem For a New Job: Touro College Professor". Manhattan. New York: N.Y. Daily News. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
  164. ^ "Former New York Governor David Paterson Joins Stifel In New York City". www.prnewswire.com (Press release).
  165. ^ Nahmias, Laura (March 3, 2014). "A portrait of David Paterson". Politico PRO.
  166. ^ "David Paterson To Be New Chairman Of New York Democratic Party". CBS New York. May 21, 2014. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
  167. ^ "David Paterson Will Step Down as Chairman of the State Democratic Party". The New York Observer. October 7, 2015.
  168. ^ "David Paterson Will Step Down as Chairman of the State Democratic Party". The New York Observer. October 7, 2015.
  169. ^ Pazmino, Gloria. "Former Gov. David Paterson endorses Eric Adams in Democratic primary race for mayor". Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  170. ^ "Heroes of the Harbor: Former Governor David Paterson | Waterfront Alliance". September 23, 2021.
  171. ^ Kathy Hochul stumps ex-Gov. David Paterson by dedicating sugar maple tree in his honor in Albany
  172. ^ Twitter. Zach Reports
  173. ^ "Former Gov. Paterson reflects on 15 years since taking office".
  174. ^ Fandos, Nicholas (January 12, 2024). "These Democrats and Republicans Have Something in Common. It's a Bar". The New York Times.
  175. ^ Finn, Robin (June 6, 2008). "No Bed of Roses for a Sudden First Lady". The New York Times.
  176. ^ "Former NY Gov. Paterson, Wife Divorcing". NBC New York. January 21, 2014.
  177. ^ Fisher, Janon (August 9, 2019). "Dave to wed his angel; Ex-gov to tie knot with Sliwa's former wife". New York Daily News. ProQuest 2269982632.
  178. ^ "Two boys, ages 12 and 13, charged in assault on ex-NY Gov. David Paterson and his stepson". AP News. October 6, 2024. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  179. ^ Duddridge, Natalie (October 7, 2024). "NYC employees charged in gang assault on former Gov. David Paterson and his stepson, police say - CBS New York". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  180. ^ Geoffrey, Gray (October 3, 2008). "Can David Paterson Keep the State From Becoming a Wreck? -- New York Magazine - Nymag". New York Magazine. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  181. ^ Paterson, David (September 28, 2020). Black, Blind, & in Charge: A Story of Visionary Leadership and Overcoming Adversity. Skyhorse. ISBN 9781510756335. Retrieved March 11, 2021 – via bookshop.org.

Further reading

[edit]
  • Clayton-Powell, Adam Jr. Adam by Adam: The Autobiography of Adam Clayton Powell Jr. New York, 1972
  • Davis, Benjamin. Communist Councilman from Harlem: Autobiographical Notes Written in a Federal Penitentiary New York, New York 1969
  • Dinkins, David A Mayor's Life: Governing New York's Gorgeous Mosaic, PublicAffairs Books, 2013
  • Howell, Ron. Boss of Black Brooklyn: The Life and Times of Bertram L. Baker Fordham University Press Bronx, New York 2018
  • Jack, Hulan. Fifty Years a Democrat: The Autobiography of Hulan Jack. New Benjamin Franklin House New York, NY 1983
  • Baker Motley, Constance. Equal Justice Under The Law: An Autobiography, New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 1998.
  • Pritchett, Wendell E. Robert Clifton Weaver and the American City: The Life and Times of an Urban Reformer, Chicago: University of Chicago Press 2008
  • Rangel, Charles B.; Wynter, Leon (2007) And I Haven't Had a Bad Day Since: From the Streets of Harlem to the Halls of Congress. New York: St. Martin's Press. ISBN 978-0-312-38213-1
  • Walker, John C. The Harlem Fox: J. Raymond Jones at Tammany 1920–1970, New York: State University New York Press, 1989.
[edit]

Governor David Paterson's official website

New York State Senate
Preceded by Member of the New York State Senate
from the 29th district

1985–2002
Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the New York State Senate
from the 30th district

2003–2006
Succeeded by
Preceded by Minority Leader of the New York State Senate
2003–2006
Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Lieutenant Governor of New York
2007–2008
Succeeded by
Preceded by Governor of New York
2008–2010
Succeeded by
Party political offices
Preceded by
Dennis Mehiel
Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor of New York
2006
Succeeded by
Preceded by Independence Party of New York nominee for Lieutenant Governor of New York
2006
Preceded by Chair of the New York Democratic Committee
2014–2015
Succeeded by
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded byas Former Governor Order of precedence of the United States
Within New York
Succeeded byas Former Governor
Order of precedence of the United States
Outside New York
Succeeded byas Former Governor