David Paterson

David Paterson
Born	David Alexander Paterson 5/20/1954
Birthplace	New York City, New York, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, radio host, author
Known for	55th Governor of New York, first African-American governor of New York, first legally blind governor of a U.S. state
Education	Hofstra University (JD)
Children	2

David Alexander Paterson (born May 20, 1954) is an American politician who served as the 55th governor of New York from March 2008 to December 2010. A member of the Democratic Party, Paterson ascended to the governorship upon the resignation of Eliot Spitzer and became the first African-American to hold the office of governor of New York, as well as the first legally blind person to serve as governor of any U.S. state. Before becoming governor, Paterson represented Harlem in the New York State Senate for more than two decades, rising to the position of Senate minority leader. His political career was shaped both by his family legacy — his father, Basil Paterson, served as New York Secretary of State — and by his own determination to navigate public life while living with a significant visual impairment that left him legally blind from infancy. Paterson's tenure as governor coincided with the onset of the Great Recession, during which he implemented substantial budget cuts and made several consequential appointments, including the selection of Kirsten Gillibrand to fill a vacant U.S. Senate seat. Since leaving office, Paterson has remained active in New York political life as a radio talk show host, party leader, and commentator.

Early Life

David Alexander Paterson was born on May 20, 1954, in New York City, New York. He is the son of Basil Paterson, a prominent New York politician who served as New York Secretary of State and was a significant figure in the state's Democratic Party establishment. The elder Paterson was part of a group of influential African-American political leaders in New York, and his career in public service had a formative influence on his son's trajectory.

As an infant, Paterson was afflicted with an infection that resulted in severe damage to his eyesight. The condition left him legally blind, with no vision in his left eye and only limited sight in his right eye. Despite this disability, Paterson pursued a full academic and professional life, and his visual impairment became an integral part of his public identity and political narrative.

Paterson grew up in the Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan, an area that would later form the core of his political constituency. His upbringing in Harlem, combined with his father's political career, immersed him in the community organizing and Democratic Party politics that characterized the neighborhood during the civil rights era and its aftermath. The younger Paterson developed an early interest in public service and government, influenced by the political environment in which he was raised.

Education

Paterson attended Columbia University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He then pursued legal studies at Hofstra University School of Law (also known as Hofstra Law School), where he obtained his Juris Doctor degree. Following his graduation from law school, Paterson entered the legal profession, working in the District Attorney's office of Queens County, New York. This position provided him with practical experience in the criminal justice system and public sector work. He subsequently served on the staff of Manhattan Borough President David Dinkins, who would later become the first African-American mayor of New York City. Paterson's work under Dinkins further solidified his connections to the Democratic Party apparatus in New York and provided him with experience in municipal governance.

Career

New York State Senate (1985–2006)

In 1985, Paterson was elected to the New York State Senate, representing the 29th district, a seat that had once been held by his father, Basil Paterson. He succeeded Leon Bogues in the position and quickly established himself as an active legislator. Paterson would go on to serve in the State Senate for over two decades, representing the 29th district from 1985 to 2002, and the 30th district from 2003 to 2006.

During his lengthy tenure in the Senate, Paterson focused on issues relevant to his Harlem constituency and the broader concerns of the state's Democratic caucus. As a member of the minority party in the Republican-controlled Senate for much of his service, Paterson worked to advance Democratic priorities despite the structural limitations of minority status.

In January 2003, Paterson rose to the position of minority leader of the New York State Senate, succeeding Martin Connor. As minority leader, Paterson was the highest-ranking Democrat in the chamber, responsible for coordinating the legislative strategy and public messaging of the Democratic conference. He held this leadership position until the end of 2006, when he departed the Senate to assume the office of lieutenant governor. Paterson was succeeded as minority leader by Malcolm Smith.

The Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law published a significant evaluation of the New York State legislative process during this period, which provided context for the institutional environment in which Paterson operated as minority leader. The report highlighted the challenges facing minority party leaders in the state's legislative structure, where the majority party exercised extensive control over the legislative agenda.

Lieutenant Governor (2007–2008)

In 2006, Paterson was selected as the running mate of Democratic gubernatorial nominee Eliot Spitzer in the New York gubernatorial election. The Spitzer-Paterson ticket ran on a platform of government reform and won the general election with approximately 65 percent of the vote. Paterson took office as lieutenant governor of New York on January 1, 2007, succeeding Mary Donohue.

As lieutenant governor, Paterson served in a largely ceremonial role, presiding over the State Senate and standing ready to assume the governorship in the event of a vacancy. The position placed Paterson in a significant constitutional role that would prove consequential sooner than anyone anticipated.

Governor of New York (2008–2010)

Succession

On March 17, 2008, David Paterson was sworn in as the 55th governor of New York following the resignation of Eliot Spitzer, who stepped down in the wake of a prostitution scandal. Paterson's succession to the governorship made him the first African-American governor of New York and the first legally blind person to serve as governor of any U.S. state. The transition occurred rapidly, and Paterson inherited both the responsibilities of the office and the political challenges that accompanied the circumstances of the succession.

Budget and Economic Policy

Paterson's governorship coincided with the onset of the Great Recession, which created severe fiscal pressures on New York State's budget. The economic downturn resulted in dramatic declines in tax revenue, particularly from the financial services industry centered in New York City, and placed enormous strain on the state's ability to fund essential services and meet its obligations.

In response to the fiscal crisis, Paterson implemented significant state budget cuts. He submitted executive budget proposals that sought to close substantial budget gaps through a combination of spending reductions and revenue measures. The budget documents and associated legislation addressed multiple areas of state spending.

Among the specific provisions included in Paterson's budget was a veterans' tuition assistance program, which received funding as part of the state's enacted budget. The budget also included education and labor-related provisions contained in Article VII legislation.

Paterson's austerity measures drew attention from both sides of the political spectrum. Conservative commentators expressed approval of certain aspects of his fiscal approach. The governor's willingness to pursue spending cuts, even when those cuts proved unpopular with elements of his own party, defined much of his time in office.

The enacted state budgets during Paterson's tenure reflected the ongoing fiscal challenges posed by the recession.

Key Appointments

Paterson made two appointments during his governorship that had significant long-term political consequences.

In January 2009, Paterson appointed then-U.S. Representative Kirsten Gillibrand to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Hillary Clinton, who had been appointed U.S. Secretary of State by President Barack Obama. The selection of Gillibrand, a relatively moderate Democrat from an upstate New York congressional district, was seen as a surprise by many political observers. Republican reactions to the appointment were reported as generally favorable. Media outlets covered the appointment process extensively. Gillibrand went on to win election to the seat in her own right and continued to serve in the U.S. Senate for years afterward.

In July 2009, Paterson appointed Richard Ravitch as lieutenant governor of New York, filling the vacancy created by his own ascension to the governorship. The appointment of Ravitch, a veteran public official and former chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, was intended to provide the administration with experienced counsel during the fiscal crisis.

Public Engagement and Speeches

As governor, Paterson maintained an active public schedule and engaged with a wide range of organizations and constituencies across the state. In July 2008, he delivered the keynote address at the NAACP conference, reflecting his significance as the state's first African-American governor.

2010 Gubernatorial Campaign and Withdrawal

Paterson initially launched a campaign for a full term as governor in the 2010 New York gubernatorial election. However, facing declining poll numbers and political challenges, he announced on February 26, 2010, that he would withdraw from the race. His decision not to seek election cleared the way for Andrew Cuomo, then the state's attorney general, to secure the Democratic nomination and ultimately win the general election. Cuomo succeeded Paterson as governor on December 31, 2010.

Ethics Controversy

During the final year of his administration, Paterson faced allegations of soliciting improper gifts and making false statements. An investigation focused on his acceptance of free tickets to New York Yankees games. Paterson was eventually fined in excess of $62,000 for accepting the complimentary tickets. He was not charged with perjury in connection with the matter. The ethics controversy contributed to the political difficulties that led to his withdrawal from the 2010 gubernatorial race.

Commutations

In the closing days of his administration, Paterson exercised his gubernatorial power to commute the sentence of John White, a Black man convicted of manslaughter for fatally shooting a white teenager in a racially charged incident. The decision drew criticism from some quarters.

Post-Governorship Career

Radio Hosting

Following his departure from the governorship, Paterson transitioned to media work, becoming a radio talk show host. He hosts "The Governor David Paterson Show," which has featured interviews with various political figures. The program has broadcast from notable locations, including from within the New York State Capitol complex at Rockefeller Center, and has featured guests such as New York State Senator Michael Gianaris.

Chair of the New York Democratic Party

On May 21, 2014, Paterson was elected chairman of the New York Democratic Party, succeeding Keith L. T. Wright. He served in this capacity until November 4, 2015, when he was succeeded by Sheila Comar. As party chairman, Paterson was responsible for overseeing the organizational and fundraising activities of the state's Democratic apparatus.

Author

In late 2020, Paterson published his first book, entitled Black, Blind, & in Charge: A Story of Visionary Leadership and Overcoming Adversity. The book recounted his experiences in public life and addressed the challenges he faced as a legally blind African-American politician navigating the highest levels of New York State government.

Continued Political Activity

Paterson has remained an active voice in New York politics since leaving office. In 2025, he participated in public discussions regarding the New York City mayoral election. In July 2025, Paterson joined other political leaders at a press conference in Midtown Manhattan to discuss the mayoral race, calling on leaders to come together to support certain candidates.

In October 2025, Paterson endorsed Andrew Cuomo in the New York City mayoral race, after having previously supported Eric Adams. The endorsement event, held at a senior citizen center in the Bronx, also featured Mayor Eric Adams, and the group of politicians emphasized Democratic unity. The New York Times reported on the endorsement, noting that Paterson and Cuomo had once been political rivals but had become allies.

Paterson also weighed in on the broader dynamics of the 2025 mayoral race, demonstrating his continued engagement with the city's political landscape.

Personal Life

David Paterson has two children. His visual impairment, which resulted from an infection during infancy, left him legally blind, with no vision in his left eye and limited vision in his right eye. Throughout his career, Paterson relied on aides to read documents to him and used other accommodations to manage the demands of legislative and executive office. His disability has been a prominent aspect of his public identity, and he has spoken publicly about the challenges and adaptations required to function in the political arena without full sight.

Paterson's father, Basil Paterson, was a notable figure in New York Democratic politics, having served as New York Secretary of State and having been active in party politics for decades. The elder Paterson was part of a generation of African-American political leaders who helped shape the political landscape of New York in the latter half of the twentieth century.

Recognition

David Paterson's tenure as the first African-American governor of New York and the first legally blind governor of any U.S. state has been recognized as a milestone in American political history. His ascension to the governorship in 2008 was widely noted by political commentators and civil rights organizations.

Paterson's keynote address at the 2008 NAACP conference reflected the significance of his role as a barrier-breaking political figure.

His 2020 book, Black, Blind, & in Charge: A Story of Visionary Leadership and Overcoming Adversity, served as both a memoir and an account of the challenges associated with serving in high office with a disability. The publication added to the public record of his career and provided his personal perspective on the events of his governorship.

Paterson has continued to be sought out for his political analysis and endorsements, reflecting his enduring status as a figure of influence within the New York Democratic Party. His endorsement in the 2025 New York City mayoral race attracted coverage from major news outlets including The New York Times and CBS News, indicating the continuing weight of his political voice.

Legacy

David Paterson's legacy in New York politics is defined by several distinct elements. As the first African-American governor of New York, his elevation to the state's highest office represented a significant moment in the state's political history. His status as the first legally blind governor of any U.S. state further distinguished his career and provided a prominent example of a person with a disability serving in executive office at the highest state level.

Paterson's appointment of Kirsten Gillibrand to the U.S. Senate in January 2009 proved to be one of the most consequential decisions of his governorship. Gillibrand went on to win election in her own right and served in the Senate for an extended period, making Paterson's selection a defining act of his time in office.

His management of the state's finances during the Great Recession, while politically difficult, demonstrated the challenges of executive leadership during a period of severe economic contraction. The budget cuts and austerity measures he implemented reflected the constraints imposed by the fiscal environment.

The ethics controversy surrounding the Yankees tickets and his subsequent withdrawal from the 2010 gubernatorial race represented a difficult conclusion to his time in elected office. However, Paterson's post-gubernatorial career as a radio host, party chairman, and political commentator has allowed him to maintain a public presence and continue to contribute to political discourse in New York.

His book, Black, Blind, & in Charge, provided a personal account of his career and the obstacles he overcame, contributing to the broader literature on disability, race, and American politics. Paterson's continued activity in New York political life, including his involvement in the 2025 mayoral race, indicates an ongoing commitment to public engagement that has extended well beyond his years in elected office.