Lt. David Paterson to Become NY's 1st Black Governor

Lt. Governor David A. Paterson, who is New York’s first African-American lieutenant governor, will now become New York's first Black governor. The seasoned politician's status upgraded when his colleague, Governor Eliot Spitzer resigned this morning.

Mr. Paterson was elected New York’s lieutenant governor on November 7, 2006, but the legally blind politician has been getting his feet wet in the world of civil service for more than 20 years. In 1985, he was elected to represent Harlem in the New York State Senate and became the youngest senator in Albany when he was elected at age 35. In 2002, Paterson became the first non-white legislative leader in New York’s history to be elected as minority leader of the New York State Senate. Consistently making history, David Paterson became the became the first visually impaired person to address a Democratic National Convention. In fact, Paterson's father, Basil Paterson, is a historical black politician, being the first non-white secretary of state of New York and the first African-American vice-chair of the national Democratic Party.

Some of the issues David Paterson has addressed are: stronger action to fight against domestic violence, minority and female owned New York businesses, alternative energy strategies and proposing legislation for a $1 billion voter-approved stem cell research initiative. The Columbia University and Hofstra Law School graduate is also nationally recognized as a leading advocate for the visually and physically impaired. He's a member of the American Foundation for the Blind and serves on the board of directors of the the Achilles Track Club, an organization that sponsors disabled athletes and disabled veterans competing in marathons.


David Paterson resides in Harlem with his wife, Michelle Paige, and their two children, Ashley and Alex. He will be in office until he has to campaign for re-election in 2010.

Congratulation and Good Luck Governor Paterson!!