David Paterson#Works

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.{{cite news|first=Jim|last=Mandelaro|title=Paterson inspires pride at School for the Blind in Batavia|work=Democrat and Chronicle|date=March 13, 2008|url=http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080313/NEWS01/803130372/1002/NEWS|access-date=March 18, 2008}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJJgN4Zo5b0 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/xJJgN4Zo5b0 |archive-date=December 21, 2021 |url-status=live|title=New York Now interview with David Paterson, February 2008|date=March 13, 2008 |publisher=Youtube|access-date=October 2, 2010}}{{cbignore}} His paternal grandmother Evangeline Rondon Paterson, a Jamaican,{{cite web|url=http://www.ancestry.com|title=Social Security Death Index [database on-line]|publisher=The Generations Network|location=United States|year=1985|access-date=July 17, 2008}} was secretary to Black Nationalist leader Marcus Garvey. His paternal grandfather was Leonard James Paterson,{{cite web|url=http://www.ancestry.com|title=Social Security Death Index [database on-line]|publisher=The Generations Network|location=United States|year=1968|access-date=July 17, 2008}} a native of Carriacou{{cite web|url=http://www.ancestry.com|title=World War I Draft Registration Card [database on-line]|publisher=The Generations Network|location=United States|date=June 5, 1917|access-date=July 17, 2008}} who arrived in the United States aboard the S.S. Vestris on May 16, 1917.{{cite web|url=http://www.ancestry.com|title=New York Passenger Lists, 1820–1957 [database on-line]|publisher=The Generations Network|location=United States|date=May 16, 1917|access-date=July 17, 2008}} It was reported by The Genetic Genealogist in March 2008 that Paterson had recently undergone genetic genealogy testing.{{cite web|title=DNA Testing of New York's New Governor David Paterson|date=March 14, 2008|url=http://www.thegeneticgenealogist.com/2008/03/14/dna-testing-of-new-yorks-new-governor-david-paterson/|publisher=The Genetic Genealogist}} 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.

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.{{cite news|first=David|last=Nichols|title=David Paterson: Activist, Progressive...Governor|work=The Nation|date=March 12, 2008|url=http://www.thenation.com/blogs/thebeat?bid=1&pid=297128|access-date=March 18, 2008}} 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.{{cite news|last=Salmon |first=Stephanie |url=https://www.usnews.com/articles/news/national/2008/03/11/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-david-paterson.html |title=10 Things You Didn't Know About David Paterson |work=U.S. News & World Report |access-date=March 11, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080313091142/http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/national/2008/03/11/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-david-paterson.html |archive-date=March 13, 2008 }}{{cite news|url=http://www.newsday.com/news/opinion/ny-lihemp0312,0,5292249.story |work=Newsday |title=Paterson was standout student who beat the odds |first=Nia-Malika |last=Henderson |date=March 12, 2008 |access-date=March 27, 2008 |quote=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. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080314061717/http://www.newsday.com/news/opinion/ny-lihemp0312%2C0%2C5292249.story |archive-date=March 14, 2008 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news|url=http://observer.com/2006/02/spitzers-mate-david-paterson-is-mystery-man-2/|title=Spitzer's Mate David Paterson Is Mystery Man|work=The New York Observer|date=February 12, 2006|first=Ben|last=Smith|access-date=March 10, 2008}}{{cite news|title=From Harlem to Albany|date=March 15, 2008|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2008/03/15/nyregion/20080316_PATERSON_TIMELINE.html|work=The New York Times|format=Flash|access-date=March 27, 2008|quote=1971... He becomes the first legally disabled person to attend the district's public schools and graduates from Hempstead High School in three years.|page=4th slide|first1=Eric|last1=Bishop |first2=Nick |last2=Corasaniti| first3=Alexis |last3=Mainland |first4=Emily S. |last4=Rueb |first5=Tanzina |last5=Vega |author5-link=Tanzina Vega |first6=Sarah |last6=Wheaton}}

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. 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.

{{Main|Early political career of David Paterson|Electoral history of David Paterson}}

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.{{cite news|title=Ex-Prosecutor Is Nominated For a Manhattan Senate Seat|date=September 16, 1985|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/09/16/nyregion/ex-prosecutor-is-nominated-for-a-manhattan-senate-seat.html|work=The New York Times|access-date=March 17, 2008}}{{cite news|first=Sewell|last=Chan|title=David A. Paterson, Next in Line|date=March 11, 2008|url=http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/03/11/david-a-paterson-next-in-line/|work=The New York Times|access-date=March 18, 2008}} 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. 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.{{cite web|url=http://latfor.state.ny.us/maps/senate/snyc.pdf |title=New York City Senate Districts (1992) |publisher=The New York State Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment |access-date=March 19, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080411045954/http://latfor.state.ny.us/maps/senate/snyc.pdf |archive-date=April 11, 2008 }}{{cite web|url=http://latfor.state.ny.us/maps/propsen/fsnyc.pdf |title=New York City Senate Districts (2002) |publisher=The New York State Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment |access-date=March 19, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080411045953/http://latfor.state.ny.us/maps/propsen/fsnyc.pdf |archive-date=April 11, 2008 }}

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.{{cite news|last=Fried|first=Joseph P.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/09/08/nyregion/running-for-an-old-job-that-has-a-new-game.html|title=Running for an Old Job That Has a New Game – Biography|work=The New York Times|date=September 8, 1993|access-date=March 16, 2010}}

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.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/13/nyregion/13albany.html|title=Hope for Harmony in a Shaken Albany|first1=Nicholas|last1=Confessore|first2=Jeremy W.|last2=Peters|newspaper=The New York Times|date=March 13, 2008}}

Describing Paterson's tenure in the Senate, The New York Times cited his "wit, flurries of reform proposals and unusual bursts of candor".{{cite news|url=http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/p/david_a_paterson/|title=Times Topics: David A. Paterson|work=The New York Times|access-date=March 12, 2008|first1=Danny|last1=Hakim|first2=William K.|last2=Rashbaum}}

{{Main|2006 New York gubernatorial election}}

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.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/25/nyregion/25paterson.html|title=For a Politician in a Position to Gain Power, a Stunning Move|first=Michael|last=Cooper|work=The New York Times|date=January 25, 2006|access-date=March 17, 2008}} During their 2006 campaign, Paterson resolved a dispute with Spitzer over turf wars between staff members.{{cite news|url=https://nymag.com/news/intelligencer/23491/|title=Spitzer's Peace With Paterson|work=New York|first=Geoffrey|last=Gray|date=October 30, 2006|access-date=March 10, 2008}} 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.{{cite news|first=Patrick|last=Healy|title=Clinton and Democrats Sweep Races in New York|date=November 8, 2006|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/08/nyregion/08york.html|access-date=March 17, 2008}}

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.{{cite news|first=Sam|last=Roberts|title=Paterson & Son, Offices in Harlem and Albany|date=December 27, 2007|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/27/nyregion/27paterson.html|work=The New York Times|access-date=March 17, 2008}}

Paterson took office as lieutenant governor on January 1, 2007.{{cite news|title=Elections 2006: Governor / New York|publisher=CNN|url=http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2006/pages/results/states/NY/G/00/|access-date=March 17, 2008}}

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.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/16/nyregion/16stem.html|title=Spitzer Wants New York to Enter the Stem Cell Race|work=The New York Times|first=Nicholas|last=Confessore|date=January 16, 2007|access-date=March 10, 2008}}

In September 2007, Paterson weighed in on a proposal before the New York City Council to extend voting rights to noncitizens.{{cite news|author=Paybarah, Azi |url=http://www.observer.com/2007/paterson-without-spitzer-administration-praises-non-citizen-voting-0 |title=Paterson, Without Spitzer Administration, Praises Non-Citizen Voting |work=The New York Observer |date=September 3, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071227070540/http://www.observer.com/2007/paterson-without-spitzer-administration-praises-non-citizen-voting-0 |archive-date=December 27, 2007 }} He told a crowd gathered at the West Indian American Day Carnival Parade that he believed noncitizens should be granted voting rights.{{cite news|author=Rae, Leah|url=http://immigration.lohudblogs.com/2008/03/11/david-paterson-on-immigration/|title=David Paterson on immigration|work=Journal News|date=March 11, 2008|access-date=March 24, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081222050458/http://immigration.lohudblogs.com/2008/03/11/david-paterson-on-immigration/|archive-date=December 22, 2008|url-status=dead}} 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.{{cite news|author1=Hayduk, Ron |author2=Michele Wucker|url=http://www.migrationinformation.org/Feature/display.cfm?ID=265|title=Immigrant Voting Rights Receive More Attention|publisher=Migration Information Source|date=November 2004}} 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.{{cite news|author=Danis, Kirsten|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2007/09/04/2007-09-04_lt_gov_david_paterson_for_granting_nonci.html|title=Lt. Gov. David Paterson for granting noncitizens right to vote|work=Daily News|date=September 4, 2007}} Paterson had tried to introduce legislation granting voting rights to noncitizens as a State Senator fifteen years earlier.{{cite news|author=Pierre-Pierre, Gary|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/09/06/nyregion/west-indians-adding-clout-at-ballot-box.html|title=West Indians Adding Clout At Ballot Box|work=The New York Times|date=September 6, 1993}}

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.{{cite news|last=Benjamin |first=Elizabeth |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2008/02/discrimination-suit-against-pa.html |title=Discrimination Suit Against Senate Dems Moves Forward |work=Daily News |date=February 18, 2008 |access-date=March 12, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080322012948/http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2008/02/discrimination-suit-against-pa.html |archive-date=March 22, 2008 }}{{cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/misc/Westlaw_Document_13_39_33.doc |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080411045953/http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/misc/Westlaw_Document_13_39_33.doc |archive-date= April 11, 2008 |title=Maioriello v. New York, Northern District of New York. 2008. No. 1:05-CV-1062|work=Daily News|format=MS Word Document|url-status=dead}}
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)). The lawsuit was settled in 2009 for $300,000.{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/02/nyregion/02photog.html | title=State Officials to Pay $300,000 to Settle Race-Bias Suit | work=The New York Times | date=May 2, 2009 | last1=Confessore | first1=Nicholas }}

In the midst of a prostitution scandal, Governor Eliot Spitzer resigned his position effective March 17, 2008.{{cite web|url=https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/politics/albany/2018/03/08/behind-scenes-capitol-chaos-when-eliot-spitzer-resigned-10-years-ago/404266002/|title=Behind the scenes: The Capitol chaos when Eliot Spitzer resigned 10 years ago|first=Joseph|last=Spector|website=Rochester Democrat and Chronicle}} 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,{{cite news|title=Paterson Is Sworn In as Governor|work=The New York Times|first=Nicholas|last=Confessore|date=March 17, 2008|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/17/nyregion/17cnd-paterson.html|access-date=March 20, 2008}} by New York chief judge Judith Kaye.{{cite web|url=http://www.ny.gov/governor/keydocs/speech_0317081.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080322033308/http://www.ny.gov/governor/keydocs/speech_0317081.html |archive-date=March 22, 2008 |title=Remarks to a Joint-Session of the New York State Legislature| publisher=Governor of New York |date=March 17, 2008 |access-date=March 17, 2008 |last=Paterson |first=David}}

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.{{cite news|last=Peters|first=Jeremy W.|url=http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/22/court-upholds-patersons-appointment-of-lieutenant-governor/?hp|title=The New York Times: Court, 4-3, Upholds Paterson's Appointment of Lieutenant Governor|website=Cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com|date=September 22, 2009|access-date=October 2, 2010}}

File:David Paterson DNC 2008.jpg.]]

Paterson is the second legally blind{{cite news|author=Kryszak, Joyce|url=http://publicbroadcasting.net/wbfo/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=1245256§ionID=1|title=Paterson Takes Oath of Office, Promises to Restore Trust|work=WBFO|date=March 17, 2008|access-date=March 17, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807041528/http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wbfo/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=1245256§ionID=1|archive-date=August 7, 2011|url-status=dead}} governor of a U.S. state (the first was Bob C. Riley, who was acting governor of Arkansas for 11 days in January 1975).{{cite web|url=http://wonkette.com/368110/nation-mourns-david-paterson-isnt-first-blind-governor-after-all|title=Nation Mourns: David Paterson Isn't First Blind Governor After All|publisher=Wonkette|date=March 14, 2008|access-date=October 2, 2010}}{{cite web|url=https://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/03/14/first-legally-blind-governor-not-quite/|title=First Legally Blind Governor? Not Quite|first=Sewell|last=Chan|date=March 14, 2008}} During his tenure, Paterson's staff read documents to him over voice mail.{{cite news|last=Aviv |first=Rachel |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/03/magazine/03Braille-t.html |title=Listening to Braille |work=The New York Times |date=December 30, 2009 |access-date=May 22, 2011}}

On July 17, 2008, Paterson was the keynote speaker addressing the 99th annual convention of the NAACP in Cincinnati, Ohio.Spector, Joseph. "[http://polhudson.lohudblogs.com/2008/07/17/paterson-to-give-keynote-this-morning-at-naacp-conference/ Paterson To Give Keynote This Morning At NAACP Conference] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721221423/http://polhudson.lohudblogs.com/2008/07/17/paterson-to-give-keynote-this-morning-at-naacp-conference/ |date=July 21, 2011 }}". The Journal News. July 17, 2008.

On October 24, 2008, Paterson's top aide, Charles J. O'Byrne, resigned from his post{{Cite web|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/news/gov-paterson-top-aide-charles-o-byrne-resigns-admitting-failing-pay-taxes-article-1.300119|title=Gov. Paterson's top aide Charles O'Byrne resigns after admitting to failing to pay taxes|first=Kenneth|last=Lovett|website=nydailynews.com|date=October 24, 2008 }} following the revelation that he owed nearly $300,000 in back taxes.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/25/nyregion/25obyrne.html|title=Paterson Aide Quits in Furor Over His Taxes|first1=Nicholas|last1=Confessore|first2=Danny|last2=Hakim|newspaper=The New York Times|date=October 24, 2008}} O'Byrne admitted to having failed to pay taxes for five years.

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.Spector, Joseph. "[http://polhudson.lohudblogs.com/2008/07/30/conservatives-applaud-paterson/ Conservatives applaud Paterson] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090116021717/http://polhudson.lohudblogs.com/2008/07/30/conservatives-applaud-paterson/ |date=January 16, 2009 }}". The Journal News. July 30, 2008.Spector, Joseph. "[http://www.theithacajournal.com/article/20090124/NEWS01/901240338 Gillibrand draws praise, criticism]{{Dead link|date=December 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}". Ithaca Journal. January 24, 2009.{{dead link|date=May 2011}}Goddard, Taegan. "[http://politicalwire.com/archives/2009/01/26/republicans_approve_of_gillibrand_pick.html Republicans Approve of Gillibrand Pick]{{Dead link|date=December 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}". [http://politicalwire.com/ Political Wire]. January 26, 2009. {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}{{better source needed|date=August 2019}}

{{Infobox New York cabinet

|align=right

|Name=Paterson

|Governor=David Paterson

|Governor start=2008

|Governor end=2010

|Lieutenant Governor=Richard Ravitch

|Lieutenant Governor start=2009

|Lieutenant Governor end=2010

|govsec= Charles J. O'Byrne

|govsec start=2008

|govsec end=2008

|General Counsel=Terryl Brown-Clemens

|General Counsel start=2008

|General Counsel end=2010

|Communications Director=Risa Heller

|Communications Director start=2008

|Communications Director end=2010

|Operations =Dennis Whalen

|Operations start =2008

|Operations end =2010

|Chief of Staff=Jon Cohen

|Chief of Staff start=2008

|Chief of Staff end=2010

|attygen=Andrew Cuomo

|attygen start=2008

|attygen end=2010

|inspgen=Joseph Fisch

|inspgen start=2008

|inspgen end=2010

|comp=Thomas DiNapoli

|comp start=2008

|comp end=2010

|agandmarkets=Patrick Hooker

|agandmarkets start=2008

|agandmarkets end=2010

|banking=Richard H. Neiman

|banking start=2008

|banking end=2010

|children=Gladys Carrion

|children start=2008

|children end=2010

|civilservice=Nancy G. Groenwegen

|civilservice start=2008

|civilservice end=2010

|corrections=Brian Fischer

|corrections start=2008

|corrections end=2010

|dec=Alexander Pete Grannis

|dec start=2008

|dec end=2010

|Education=Richard P. Mills

|Education start=2008

|Education end=2010

|Health=Richard F. Daines

|Health start=2008

|Health end=2010

|Insurance =Eric R. Dinallo

|Insurance start =2008

|Insurance end =2010

|Labor=M. Patricia Smith

|Labor start=2008

|Labor end=2010

|dmv=David Swarts

|dmv start=2008

|dmv end=2010

|mil=Maj. Gen. Joseph J. Taluto

|mil start=2008

|mil end=2010

|Public Service=Gary A. Brown

|Public Service start=2008

|Public Service end=2010

|State=Ruth Noemí Colón (Acting)

|State start=2010

|State end=2010

|tax=Robert L. Megna

|tax start=2008

|tax end=2010

|Transportation=Astrid C. Glynn

|Transportation start=2008

|Transportation end=2009

}}

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.{{cite news|author=Peters, Jeremy W.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/17/nyregion/17prepare.html|title=Paterson Is Calling the Shots on Swearing-In|work=The New York Times|date=March 17, 2008}} 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.{{cite news|author=Thompson, Maury|url=http://www.poststar.com/articles/2008/03/18/news/local/13443868.txt|title=Paterson: It's time to get to work|work=Post Star|date=March 18, 2008}}

He stated in his inauguration speech that it would be his top priority.{{cite news|author=Goldman, Henry|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aQZP02jpgPxQ|title=Paterson to Focus on New York Budget in First Days as Governor|work=Bloomberg L.P.|date=March 17, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100613163056/http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087|archive-date=June 13, 2010}}

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".{{cite news|author=Gralla, Joan|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSN1760917920080317|title=NY new governor says economy headed toward a crisis|work=Reuters|date=March 17, 2008}} 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".Creelan, Jeremy and Moulton, Laura. "[http://www.brennancenter.org/content/resource/the_new_york_state_legislative_process_an_evaluation_and_blueprint_for_refo The New York State Legislative Process]". Brennan Center for Justice, New York University School of Law. July 21, 2004. Retrieved on February 28, 2008.{{cite journal|last=McMahon|first=E.J.|url=http://www.empirecenter.org/Policy-Briefings/2005/10/breaking_the_bu.cfm|title=Breaking the Budget in New York State|journal=Policy Briefing|publisher=Manhattan Institute|id=No. 3|date=October 2005|access-date=March 19, 2008|archive-date=March 9, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080309005317/http://www.empirecenter.org/Policy-Briefings/2005/10/breaking_the_bu.cfm|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.stargazettenews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080318/OPINION01/803180313 |title=Paterson must hit the ground running to move state ahead |work=Star Gazette |date=March 18, 2008 |access-date=March 18, 2008}}

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.{{cite news|author=Anderson, Liz|url=http://polhudson.lohudblogs.com/2008/03/17/day-one-bills-five/|title=Day: one. Bills: five|work=Journal News|date=March 17, 2008|access-date=March 18, 2008|archive-date=March 23, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080323094028/http://polhudson.lohudblogs.com/2008/03/17/day-one-bills-five/|url-status=dead}} Paterson appointed Christopher O. Ward to be executive director of the Port Authority on May 22, 2008.{{cite web|url=https://observer.com/2008/05/paterson-ready-to-tap-chris-ward-as-port-authority-director/|title=Paterson Ready to Tap Chris Ward as Port Authority Director|website=The New York Observer|date=May 2, 2008|access-date=March 11, 2021}} Ward was successful in turning around construction at World Trade Center Site, and started the process of turning Farley Post Office into Moynihan Station.{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/states/new-york/albany/story/2011/08/the-problem-with-port-authority-boss-chris-ward-is-that-he-doesnt-owe-andrew-cuomo-a-thing-000114|title=The problem with Port Authority boss Chris Ward is that he doesn't owe Andrew Cuomo a thing|first=Dana|last=Rubinstein|website=Politico PRO|date=August 2011 |access-date=March 11, 2021}}

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.{{cite news|title=N.Y. governor: State employee among my several affairs|publisher=CNN|date=March 18, 2008|url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/18/paterson.affairs.ap/index.html|access-date=March 22, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080321212838/http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/18/paterson.affairs.ap/index.html|archive-date=March 21, 2008}}

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.{{cite news |last=Paybarah |first=Azi |url=http://www.observer.com/2008/patersons-message-same-sex-marriage |title=Paterson's Message on Same-Sex Marriage |website=Observer.com |date=May 29, 2008 |access-date=July 14, 2008 |archive-date=June 5, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080605142535/http://www.observer.com/2008/patersons-message-same-sex-marriage |url-status=dead }} The governor's directive was purportedly based upon a decision from New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division's Fourth Department. The governor's directive did not receive widespread public attention until weeks after the directive was given.{{cite news|last=Peters |first=Jeremy |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/29/nyregion/29marriage.html |title=New York to Back Same-Sex Unions From Elsewhere |work=The New York Times |date=May 29, 2008}} 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,{{cite news |last=Naanes |first=Marlene |url=http://www.newsday.com/news/local/newyork/am-marriage0530,0,6331833.story |title=New Yorkers applaud Guv's gay marriage stance |work=Newsday |date=May 29, 2008 |access-date=July 14, 2008 |archive-date=June 1, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080601210416/http://www.newsday.com/news/local/newyork/am-marriage0530%2C0%2C6331833.story |url-status=dead }} 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.{{cite news|last=Confessore |first=Nicholas |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/30/nyregion/30opponents.html |title=Gay Marriage Opponents Consider Ways to Fight New Policy |work=The New York Times |date=May 30, 2008}}{{cite web |last=Senison |first=Heather |url=http://www.legislativegazette.com/day_item.php?item=393 |title=Strong reactions on both sides of gay marriage debate |work=Legislative Gazette |date=May 30, 2008 |access-date=July 14, 2008 |archive-date=June 4, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080604175514/http://www.legislativegazette.com/day_item.php?item=393 |url-status=dead }} Then-Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno and others accused Paterson of having overstepped his bounds and usurped the authority of the legislature. 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.{{cite web|last=Stashenko |first=Joel |url=http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1202421798174 |title=N.Y. Governor Defends Recognition of Other Jurisdictions' Gay Marriages |website=Law.com |date=May 30, 2008}}{{cite news|last=Peters |first=Jeremy |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/30/nyregion/30paterson.html |title=Celebrating Gay Pride and Its Albany Friend |work=The New York Times |date=June 30, 2008}}{{cite news |last1=Rentas |first1=Khadijah |last2=Gaskell |first2=Stephanie |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2008/06/29/2008-06-29_governor_paterson_is_cheered_at_citys_ga.html |title=Governor Paterson is cheered at city's Gay Pride Parade |work=Daily News |date=June 30, 2008 |access-date=July 14, 2008 |archive-date=July 3, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080703202140/http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2008/06/29/2008-06-29_governor_paterson_is_cheered_at_citys_ga.html |url-status=dead }}

On June 3, 2008, a lawsuit was filed by the Alliance Defense Fund challenging the governor's directive.{{cite news |title=Group, lawmakers sue governor over same-sex marriage directive |work=Ithaca Journal |date=June 4, 2008 |page=6A}} 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.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/03/nyregion/03marry.html|title=Court Backs Paterson Regarding Gay Unions|date=September 2, 2008|last=Confessore|first=Nicholas|work=The New York Times}}

In April 2009, it was revealed that Paterson would propose legislation to legalize same-sex marriage in New York.{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/04/14/ny.same.sex.marriage/|title=New York governor to propose legalizing same-sex marriage|date=April 14, 2009|last=Melas|first=Chloe|publisher=CNN}} Paterson later tapped former Senate Majority Leader and former political foe Joseph Bruno to support same-sex marriage in Albany.{{cite web|last=Amira|first=Dan|url=https://nymag.com/daily/intel/2009/06/can_joe_bruno_rescue_gay_marri.html|title=Can Joe Bruno Rescue Gay Marriage?|date=June 8, 2009 |publisher=Nymag.com|access-date=October 2, 2010}} 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.{{Cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2009/12/gay-marriage-fails-24-38.html |title=Gay Marriage Fails, 24–38 |first=Elizabeth |last=Benjamin |date=December 2, 2009 |access-date=December 2, 2009 |work=New York Daily News |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130526092938/http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2009/12/gay-marriage-fails-24-38.html |archive-date=May 26, 2013 }}{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/03/nyregion/03marriage.html | work=The New York Times | first=Jeremy W. | last=Peters | title=New York State Senate Votes Down Gay Marriage Bill | date=December 2, 2009}} 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."

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.{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/02/nyregion/02marriage.html | work=The New York Times | first=Thomas | last=Kaplan | title=Paterson Gives Up Push to Legalize Gay Marriage | date=December 1, 2010}} 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.

In March 2008, Paterson warned that New York state faced its worst fiscal crisis since 2001.{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/newyorkstate-budget/update-1-nys-paterson-sees-worst-fiscal-crisis-since-9-11-idUSN1823094920080318|title=UPDATE 1-NY's Paterson sees worst fiscal crisis since 9/11|last=Gralla|first=Joan|work=Reuters|date=March 18, 2008|accessdate=October 5, 2022}} 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.[http://www.ny.gov/governor/press/press_0729081.html Press Release from Governor Paterson's office on the official NY State website]. Retrieved July 30, 2008. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080805213547/http://www.ny.gov/governor/press/press_0729081.html |date=August 5, 2008 }}[https://web.archive.org/web/20090116031933/http://blogs.timesunion.com/capitol/archives/8176 Times Union blog of July 29, 2008]. Retrieved July 30, 2008.Karlin, Rick, [http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=707684&category=STATE "Paterson: 'Time to act': Citing fear of budget disaster, governor recalls Legislature,"] Albany Times-Union, July 30, 2008. Retrieved July 30, 2008. {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} He also warned that the budget deficit was estimated to grow 22 percent by 2011.[https://web.archive.org/web/20080730064746/http://wcbstv.com/cbs2crew/david.paterson.budget.2.782422.html Paterson: State Deficit Up $1.4B Over Last 90 Days] WCBS. July 29, 2008. 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.ktka.com/news/2008/sep/16/fed_offers_85_billion_rescue_plan_aig/|title=Fed offers $85 billion rescue plan to AIG|publisher=KTKA.com|date=September 16, 2008|access-date=October 2, 2010}} He hit the cable networks early{{cite web|url=http://glickreport.blogs.foxbusiness.com/2008/09/16/governor-paterson-weighs-in-the-aig-situation/ |title=Governor Paterson Weighs In on the AIG Situation|publisher=Glick Report |access-date=October 2, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080920121552/http://glickreport.blogs.foxbusiness.com/2008/09/16/governor-paterson-weighs-in-the-aig-situation/ |archive-date=September 20, 2008 }} and was quoted by media around the world.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7620127.stm|work=BBC News|title=US government rescues insurer AIG|date=September 17, 2008|access-date=May 1, 2010}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2008/sep/17/marketturmoil.creditcrunch|work=The Guardian|location=London|title=US government steps in to rescue insurance giant AIG|first=Andrew|last=Clark|date=September 17, 2008|access-date=May 1, 2010}}{{cite news|url=http://www.lemonde.fr/economie/article/2008/09/17/la-fed-sauve-l-assureur-americain-aig-de-la-faillite_1096048_3234.html|title=La Fed sauve l'assureur américain AIG de la faillite|work=Le Monde|date=September 17, 2008|location=Paris|access-date=October 2, 2010}}

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". 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.Quint, Michael. "[https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aOBfzpvMJfGo New York's Paterson, Lawmakers Agree on State Budget] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090122224028/http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103 |date=January 22, 2009 }}". Bloomberg L.P. April 9, 2008. 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.

Gallagher, Jay and Spector, Joseph. "[http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080409/NEWS/804090332/1006 $124 billion state budget plan expected to pass today]". Poughkeepsie Journal. April 9, 2008. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714220840/http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20080409%2FNEWS%2F804090332%2F1006 |date=July 14, 2014 }} The budget provided for a tuition remission program for military veterans, offering them free tuition at both SUNY and CUNY institutions.Neroulias, Nicole. "[http://veterans.lohudblogs.com/2008/04/10/new-york-budget-funds-veterans-tuition-assistance/ New York's new budget funds veterans tuition assistance] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080421231331/http://veterans.lohudblogs.com/2008/04/10/new-york-budget-funds-veterans-tuition-assistance/ |date=April 21, 2008 }}". Journal News. April 10, 2008."[http://publications.budget.state.ny.us/eBudget0809/fy0809artVIIbills/ELFAConsBMwtoc.htm#partN Part N – Amend the Education Law in relation to tuition assistance for veterans] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080415230456/http://publications.budget.state.ny.us/eBudget0809/fy0809artVIIbills/ELFAConsBMwtoc.htm |date=April 15, 2008 }}, [http://publications.budget.state.ny.us/eBudget0809/0809_budgetPublications.html#art7 Memorandum in Support Article VII Legislation, Education, Labor, and Family Assistance] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080410023528/http://publications.budget.state.ny.us/eBudget0809/0809_budgetPublications.html |date=April 10, 2008 }}, [http://www.budget.ny.gov/pubs/enacted/enacted.html Enacted Budget], [http://publications.budget.state.ny.us/eBudget0809/ExecutiveBudget.html 2008–09 "New York State Executive Budget"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080410023534/http://publications.budget.state.ny.us/eBudget0809/ExecutiveBudget.html |date=April 10, 2008 }}. New York State Division of the Budget. Retrieved April 11, 2008. {{cite web |url=http://publications.budget.state.ny.us/eBudget0809/fy0809artVIIbills/ELFAConsBMwtoc.htm |title=2008-09 Memorandum in Support - Elfa |access-date=2008-04-11 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080415230456/http://publications.budget.state.ny.us/eBudget0809/fy0809artVIIbills/ELFAConsBMwtoc.htm |archive-date=April 15, 2008 }} 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.{{cite web|url=https://observer.com/2008/04/paterson-vows-to-address-mta-soon-spending-in-budget-next-year/|title=Paterson Vows to Address M.T.A. Soon, Spending in Budget, Next Year|last=Paybarah|first=Azi|work=The New York Observer|date=April 8, 2008|accessdate=October 5, 2022}}

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.[http://www.state.ny.us/governor/press/press_0424082_print.html Governor Paterson Urges State Leaders To Follow His Lead In Reducing Next Year's State Budget] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090109222233/http://www.state.ny.us/governor/press/press_0424082_print.html |date=January 9, 2009 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.observer.com/2008/patersons-cut-backs |title=Paterson Asking Legislative Leaders for Budget Cuts |work=The New York Observer |date=April 24, 2008 |access-date=October 2, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511215246/http://www.observer.com/2008/patersons-cut-backs |archive-date=May 11, 2008 }}

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."Plotch, Philip Mark. [http://www.PoliticsAcrossTheHudson.com Politics Across the Hudson: The Tappan Zee Megaproject.] Rutgers University Press, New Jersey (2015). p. 130 New York faced a budget deficit of $15 billion, and state debt approached $55 billion.McNichol, Elizabeth, and Lay, Iris. "[http://www.cbpp.org/9-8-08sfp.htm States Continue to Feel Recession's Impact]". Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. January 16, 2009.{{better source needed|date=August 2019}} Paterson's budget proposal called for dramatic across-the-board cuts to various state agencies; he described those cuts as "deep and painful".Precious, Tom. "[http://www.buffalonews.com/home/story/525085.html Paterson proposes dramatic spending cuts, higher taxes and fees]". Buffalo News. December 16, 2008. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081217053406/http://www.buffalonews.com/home/story/525085.html |date=December 17, 2008 }} 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.Vielkind, Jimmy. "[https://observer.com/2009/01/the-pheasants-are-saved-for-the-hunters/ The Pheasants Are Saved! For the Hunters]". The New York Observer. January 16, 2009."[http://www.midhudsonnews.com/News/2009/January09/04/Ball_pheasant_farm-04Jan09.htm Ball urges Governor to retain 'only remaining pheasant farm'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110611045516/http://www.midhudsonnews.com/News/2009/January09/04/Ball_pheasant_farm-04Jan09.htm |date=June 11, 2011 }}". [http://midhudsonnews.com/ Mid Hudson News]. January 4, 2009.Nelson, Dick. "[https://archive.today/20120913175909/http://www.thedailymail.net/articles/2009/01/12/sports/sports4.txt Sportsmen seek injunction against DEC]". The Daily Mail (Greene Country). January 12, 2009.Figura, David. "[http://blog.syracuse.com/outdoors/2009/01/gov_paterson_makes_it_official.html Gov. Paterson makes it official: the Reynolds Game Farm will not be closed]". The Post-Standard. January 16, 2009.

In March 2009, Paterson announced that in light of the fiscal crisis, he would take a 10% pay cut.{{Cite web|url=https://cnycentral.com/news/political/lawmakers-react-to-governors-pay-cut|title=Lawmakers react to governor's pay cut|website=CNYCentral.com|date=March 7, 2009}}

File:David Paterson Afghanistan 4.jpg 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.{{Cite news |title=Clinton sworn in at State Dept. and then resigns Senate |first=Brian |last=Tumulty |work=The Journal News |date=January 21, 2009 |url=http://polhudson.lohudblogs.com/2009/01/21/clinton-has-resigned-the-senate-sworn-in-at-state-dept |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201014210/http://polhudson.lohudblogs.com/2009/01/21/clinton-has-resigned-the-senate-sworn-in-at-state-dept |archive-date=February 1, 2009}} 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,{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/22/us/politics/22hillary.html|title=If Clinton Should Win, Who Would Take Her Place?|access-date=November 23, 2008|date=January 22, 2007|work=The New York Times|author1=Chan, Sewell |author2=Richard Pérez-Peña}} 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.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/04/us/politics/04senateseat.html|title=Wishing and Hoping for Clinton's Seat|access-date=November 23, 2008|date=October 4, 2007|work=The New York Times|author=Hakim, Danny}}Parker, Billy. "[http://gothamist.com/2008/11/22/latest_possible_hillary_successor_i.php Latest Possible Hillary Successor is Leecia Eve] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090113095613/http://gothamist.com/2008/11/22/latest_possible_hillary_successor_i.php |date=January 13, 2009 }}". Gothamist. November 22, 2008.{{cite web|url=http://www.queerty.com/why-gov-paterson-should-have-named-lesbian-randi-weingarten-to-the-senate-20090123/|title=Why Gov. Paterson Should Have Named Lesbian Randi Weingarten to the Senate|date=January 23, 2009 |publisher=Queerty.com|access-date=October 2, 2010}} 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.{{cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/01/20/poll-new-yorkers-prefer-cuomo-kennedy-senate-seat/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090124150809/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/01/20/poll-new-yorkers-prefer-cuomo-kennedy-senate-seat/|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 24, 2009|title=Poll: New Yorkers Prefer Cuomo Over Kennedy for U.S. Senate Seat|publisher=Fox News|date=April 7, 2010|access-date=October 2, 2010}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://donklephant.com/2009/01/15/senator-cuomo-looms-as-dame-caroline-fades/|title=Senator Cuomo looms as Dame Caroline fades|publisher=Donklephant.com|date=January 15, 2009|access-date=October 2, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120708220449/http://donklephant.com/2009/01/15/senator-cuomo-looms-as-dame-caroline-fades/|archive-date=July 8, 2012}}{{cite news|last=Halbfinger |first=David M. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/25/nyregion/25cuomo.html |title=As Willing Bridesmaid, Cuomo Plays Against Type |location=New York State |work=The New York Times |date=January 24, 2009 |access-date=May 22, 2011}} Paterson acknowledged on January 20, 2009, that Cuomo was indeed under consideration for the appointment.[http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newyork/ny-bc-ny--nysenateseat0120jan20,0,7511621.story Paterson: Cuomo being considered for Senate seat] {{webarchive |url=https://archive.today/20090203080327/http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newyork/ny-bc-ny--nysenateseat0120jan20,0,7511621.story |date=February 3, 2009 }}

It was reported on December 5, 2008, that Paterson had spoken with Kennedy regarding her interest in the Senate seat.{{cite web|url=https://abc7ny.com/archive/6540115/|title=NYC mayor praises Caroline Kennedy|access-date=December 8, 2008|date=December 8, 2008|publisher=ABC Inc., WABC-TV/DT New York, NY|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090129230042/http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news%2Fpolitics&id=6540115|archive-date=January 29, 2009|url-status=live}} However, Kennedy abruptly withdrew her name from consideration on January 21, 2009.{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/english/world/10836272.asp?scr=1|title=Caroline Kennedy withdraws Senate bid|date=January 23, 2009 |publisher=Hurriyet.com.tr|access-date=October 2, 2010}} Up until her withdrawal, which Kennedy said was based on "personal reasons",{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/US/story?id=6706119&page=1|title=Kennedy Is a Drop Out; Gov. Disputes Reason|website=ABC News}} the high-profile, well-connected daughter of former President John F. Kennedy was widely considered the front-runner for the nomination.[http://news.aol.com/political-machine/2008/12/16/sources-caroline-kennedy-the-front-runner-for-hilary-clinton-se/ Sources: Caroline Kennedy Front-Runner for Hillary Clinton Senate Seat] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081222052447/http://news.aol.com/political-machine/2008/12/16/sources-caroline-kennedy-the-front-runner-for-hilary-clinton-se/ |date=December 22, 2008 }} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article5416006.ece |title=The Times & The Sunday Times |publisher=Timesonline.co.uk |date= |access-date=March 11, 2021}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}{{cite news|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4188/is_20081230/ai_n31158684 |title=Kennedy criticized after her latest tour |publisher=Findarticles.com |date=December 30, 2008 |access-date=May 22, 2011 |first=Michael |last=Gormley}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-2009-01-23-kennedy23-story.html|title=Vetting raised issues about Kennedy, source says|website=Orlando Sentinel|date=January 23, 2009 }} Some sources and analysts doubted the reports' veracity, calling the Paterson camp's denials of any interest in appointing Kennedy "misdirection".{{cite news|last=Hakim |first=Danny |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/23/nyregion/23caroline.html |title=Paterson Is Set to Name Senate Pick |location=New York State |work=The New York Times |date=January 22, 2009 |access-date=May 22, 2011}}

On January 23, 2009, Paterson chose Gillibrand—a moderate upstate representative from a largely conservative district—to fill Clinton's vacated seat.{{cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/01/22/new-york-gov-paterson-rep-gillibrand-clintons-senate-seat/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090124143738/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/01/22/new-york-gov-paterson-rep-gillibrand-clintons-senate-seat/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 24, 2009 |title=Paterson Names Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand to Clinton's Former U.S. Senate Seat |publisher=Foxnews.com |date=April 7, 2010 |access-date=May 22, 2011}} The Kennedy family criticized Paterson's handling of the appointment.{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2009/01/24/2009-01-24_senatordesignate_kirsten_gillibrand_prai.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203072335/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2009/01/24/2009-01-24_senatordesignate_kirsten_gillibrand_prai.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 3, 2009 |title=Senator-designate Kirsten Gillibrand praises Caroline Kennedy |publisher=Nydailynews.com |date=January 25, 2009 |access-date=May 22, 2011 |location=New York |first1=Kenneth |last1=Lovett |first2=John |last2=Lauinger |first3=Celeste |last3=Katz }} Although Gillibrand's appointment was praised by some (including Schumer, New York's senior senator;{{cite web |author=Tom Caprood |url=http://www.troyrecord.com/articles/2009/01/24/news/doc497ac08414347522989603.txt |title=Gillibrand colleagues support her appointment |publisher=Troyrecord.com |date=January 24, 2009 |access-date=May 22, 2011 |archive-date=February 20, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120220121419/http://www.troyrecord.com/articles/2009/01/24/news/doc497ac08414347522989603.txt |url-status=dead }} President Obama;{{Cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/jan/23/senate-new-york-gillibrand-caroline-kennedy|title=New York governor announces Gillibrand as new senator|date=January 23, 2009|website=the Guardian}} and Clinton herself{{cite web|url=http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/01/23/1758674.aspx |title=HRC (and others) react to Gillibrand |publisher=MSNBC |access-date=May 22, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090126212329/http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/01/23/1758674.aspx |archive-date=January 26, 2009 }}) others criticized Paterson's choice, calling Gillibrand "sharp-elbowed",{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/lawrence-odonnell/new-yorks-next-senator-op_b_160497.html |title=New York's Next Senator: Opposed to the Obama Agenda |publisher=Huffingtonpost.com |date= January 23, 2009|access-date=May 22, 2011 |first=Lawrence |last=Odonnell}} "too conservative",{{cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2009/01/22/2009-01-22_who_is_kirsten_gillibrand_new_york_congr.html |title=Who is Kirsten Gillibrand? New York congresswoman to take Clinton's Senate seat |publisher=Nydailynews.com |date=January 23, 2009 |access-date=May 22, 2011 |first1=Larry |last1=Mcshane |first2=Kenneth |last2=Lovett |first3=Elizabeth |last3=Benjamin |archive-date=February 3, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203073700/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2009/01/22/2009-01-22_who_is_kirsten_gillibrand_new_york_congr.html |url-status=dead }} and "unliked".{{cite web|url=http://www.newser.com/story/48845/ambitious-gillibrand-disliked-by-peers.html|title=Ambitious Gillibrand Disliked by Peers|last=Colgrass|first=Neal|date=January 23, 2009|work=Newser|access-date=July 12, 2014}} Others, including liberal New York Times editorialist Maureen Dowd{{cite news|last=Dowd |first=Maureen |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/25/opinion/25dowd.html |title=Which Governor Is Wackier? |work=The New York Times |date=January 24, 2009 |access-date=May 22, 2011}} and New York Magazine writer Chris Smith,{{cite web|last=Smith |first=Chris |url=https://nymag.com/news/politics/53618/ |title=The Zany Adventures of (Senator) Caroline Kennedy |publisher=Nymag.com |date=January 24, 2009 |access-date=May 22, 2011}} 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.{{cite news|last=Hakim |first=Danny |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/21/nyregion/21paterson.html |title=Paterson Had Staff Deny Kennedy Was Top Choice |work=The New York Times |date=February 20, 2009 |access-date=May 22, 2011}}

{{See also|2009 New York State Senate leadership crisis}}

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.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/09/nyregion/09albany.html|title=Paterson to Name Ex-M.T.A. Chief as Lieutenant Governor|author1=Jeremy Peters |author2=Danny Hakim |work=The New York Times|date=July 8, 2009}} 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.{{cite news|url=http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/22/court-upholds-patersons-appointment-of-lieutenant-governor/?hp|work=The New York Times|title=In 4-3 Vote, Court Says Paterson Can Appoint Lt. Governor|first1=Jeremy W.|last1=Peters|first2=Sewell|last2=Chan|date=September 22, 2009|access-date=May 1, 2010}}

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.{{cite news |last=Bagli |first=Charles V. |date=October 21, 2010 |title=Report Criticizes Senators on Casino in Queens |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/22/nyregion/22casino.html |accessdate=October 5, 2022 |work=The New York Times}} On March 9, 2010, Paterson recused himself from the case, saying that he was doing so on the advice of his lawyers.{{cite news |date=March 9, 2010 |title=Paterson Recuses Himself From Racino Project |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2010/03/paterson-recuses-himself-from.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604170059/http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2010/03/paterson-recuses-himself-from.html |archive-date=June 4, 2011 |access-date=May 22, 2011 |work=New York Daily News}} On the same day, investors Floyd Flake and Jay-Z withdrew from AEG. Flake had a 0.6% share.{{cite web |last=Fung |first=Amanda |date=March 9, 2010 |title=Rev. Flake, rapper Jay-Z exit sinking Aqueduct bid |url=http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20100309/REAL_ESTATE/100309862 |access-date=May 22, 2011 |publisher=crainsnewyork}}

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.{{Cite news|title=Question of Influence in Abuse Case of Paterson Aide|author=William K. Rashbaum|author2=Danny Hakim|author3=David Kocieniewski|author4=Serge F. Kovaleski|author5=Kitty Bennett|author6=Alain Delaquérière|author7=Barbara Gray|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/25/nyregion/25paterson.html|work=The New York Times|date=February 25, 2010|access-date=March 7, 2010}} On February 26, 2010, Paterson withdrew his bid for a full term as governor of New York.

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.{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/ny-gov-david-paterson-pressure-amid-scandal/story?id=9995417|title=N.Y. Gov. Slapped for 'Free' Yankees Tickets|website=ABC News}} 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.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/04/nyregion/04paterson.html|title=David Paterson Misled Inquiry on Gifts, New York Panel Says|first1=Nicholas|last1=Confessore|first2=Jeremy W.|last2=Peters|newspaper=The New York Times |date=March 3, 2010}}

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.{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/ny-gov-paterson-weathers-plummeting-poll-numbers-resignations/story?id=10018887|title=NY's Gov. Paterson Says He's Not Resigning|website=ABC News}}

Paterson was not criminally charged in connection with his witness interaction in the Johnson domestic abuse matter.{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/38451134/ns/politics-more_politics/t/ny-gov-paterson-wont-face-criminal-charges/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190907152018/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/38451134/ns/politics-more_politics/t/ny-gov-paterson-wont-face-criminal-charges/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 7, 2019|title=N.Y. Gov. Paterson won't face criminal charges|first1=Colleen|last1=Long|first2=Michael|last2=Virtanen|date=July 28, 2010|website=msnbc.com}} 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.{{cite news| url=http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/20/gov-paterson-fined-62125-for-taking-world-series-tickets | work=The New York Times | first=David M. | last=Halbfinger | title=Paterson Fined $62,125 Over World Series Tickets | date=December 20, 2010}}

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.{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/02/12/david-paterson-snl-insens_n_166533.html |title=David Paterson: SNL Insensitive To Disabled |work=The Huffington Post |date=February 12, 2009|access-date=March 2, 2011}} 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.{{cite news|last=Schapiro|first=Rich|title=Gov. David Paterson makes surprise 'Saturday Night Live' visit to mock himself, Albany|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/09/25/2010-09-25_paterson_shows_he_isnt_blind_to_humor_on_snl.html?r=news|access-date=September 26, 2010|newspaper=New York Daily News|date=September 26, 2010|archive-date=September 29, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100929154757/http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/09/25/2010-09-25_paterson_shows_he_isnt_blind_to_humor_on_snl.html?r=news|url-status=dead}}

{{main|2010 New York gubernatorial election}}

In October 2008, Paterson launched a campaign website and announced his intention to run for a full term as governor.{{cite web|title=David Paterson|work=Paterson for Governor Inc.|url=http://www.patersonforny.com/|access-date=July 30, 2008|archive-date=September 27, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080927051629/http://www.patersonforny.com/|url-status=dead}}{{better source needed|date=December 2021}} Paterson's prime Republican opponent was expected to be former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani.{{cite news|url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/01/13/giuliani-says-decision-on-governors-race-unlikely-before-summer/|publisher=CNN|title=Giuliani says decision on governor's race unlikely before summer|access-date=May 1, 2010|date=January 13, 2009|archive-date=January 26, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090126060254/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/01/13/giuliani-says-decision-on-governors-race-unlikely-before-summer/|url-status=dead}} 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.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSTRE51N6ZQ20090224|title=New York governor trails rival Cuomo in latest poll|publisher=Reuters|date=February 24, 2009|access-date=March 16, 2010|first=Tom|last=Ryan}} 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.{{cite web |url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/nygovernor-poll/ny-gov-patersons-approval-rating-a-record-low-poll-idUKN0638816620090406 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180821174056/https://uk.reuters.com/article/nygovernor-poll/ny-gov-patersons-approval-rating-a-record-low-poll-idUKN0638816620090406 |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 21, 2018 |title=NY gov Paterson's approval rating a record low-poll |author= |date=April 6, 2009 |website=uk.reuters.com |access-date=April 15, 2019 }} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/paterson-blames-racism-for-his-unpopularity-1.1386367?localLinksEnabled=false|title=Paterson blames racism for his unpopularity|work=Newsday|location=New York|date=August 21, 2009|access-date=March 16, 2010}} 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."{{cite web|url=http://wcbstv.com/local/paterson.race.card.2.1142426.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090828170903/http://wcbstv.com/local/paterson.race.card.2.1142426.html|url-status=dead|title=Ignoring White House Request, Paterson Rants Again|archive-date=August 28, 2009}} Giuliani never ran for Governor.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/20/nyregion/20rudy.html|title=Giuliani Said to Decide Against Run for Governor|first=Danny|last=Hakim|newspaper=The New York Times |date=November 19, 2009|access-date=March 11, 2021}} Eventually, Republicans nominated Carl Paladino.

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.{{cite web|url=http://www.newsday.com/news/region-state/obama-cordial-but-cool-to-gov-paterson-1.1465587 |title=Obama cordial but cool to Gov. David Paterson |publisher=Newsday.com |date=September 21, 2009 |access-date=May 22, 2011}} 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.{{cite news|last=Hernandez |first=Raymond |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/20/nyregion/20paterson.html |title=Paterson Says He Will Run, Rejecting Call From Obama |location=New York State |work=The New York Times |date=September 19, 2009 |access-date=May 22, 2011}} 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".{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/david-paterson-ill-only-leave-office-in-a-box/ |title=David Paterson: I'll Only Leave Office 'In a Box' |date=February 9, 2010 |work=CBS News}} 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".{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/27/nyregion/27paterson.html|title=Paterson Drops Out of Governor Race|newspaper=The New York Times|author1=Hakim, Danny|author2=Barron, James|author2-link=James Barron (journalist)|quote=Gov. David A. Paterson announced on Friday afternoon that he was suspending his election campaign and would not run in November.|date=February 26, 2010|access-date=February 26, 2010}} Later in 2010, Cuomo became the Democratic nominee for governor of New York and won the election in a landslide over Paladino.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/03/nyregion/03nygov.html|title=Cuomo Beats Paladino in New York Governor's Race|first=Nicholas|last=Confessore|newspaper=The New York Times |date=November 2, 2010}}

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.{{cite web|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/radio-free-david-paterson-blog-entry-1.1686726|title=Radio Free (David) Paterson|first=Celeste|last=Katz|website=nydailynews.com}} On September 1, 2011, the station announced that Paterson would become the regular weekday afternoon drive-time host beginning on September 6.{{cite web |url=http://www.wor710.com/pages/10793125.php |title=DAVID PATERSON ELECTED NEW PM-DRIVE HOST |date=September 1, 2011 |website=WOR710.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008143028/http://www.wor710.com/pages/10793125.php |archive-date=October 8, 2011 |url-status=dead}} He replaced Steve Malzberg. In December 2012, Paterson was let go from his radio show at WOR after Clear Channel purchased the station.{{cite web|title=Clear Channel Layoffs Begin at WOR; David Paterson and Joy Browne Axed|url=http://www.adweek.com/fishbowlny/clear-channel-layoffs-begin-at-wor-david-paterson-and-joy-browne-axed/74343|website=Adweek|date=December 20, 2012 |access-date=September 21, 2015}}

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.{{Cite web|url=https://abc13.com/archive/8716081/|title=Former New York Governor David Paterson joins MTA Board | ABC13 Houston | abc13.com|website=ABC13 Houston}}

In July 2013, Paterson said that he might run for Congress if U.S. Representative Charles Rangel retired.{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2013/07/ex-new-york-governor-david-paterson-considers-run-for-congress-094614|title=Ex-New York Governor David Paterson considers run for Congress|agency=Associated Press|website=POLITICO|date=July 23, 2013 |access-date=March 11, 2021}} 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".{{Cite web|url=https://observer.com/2013/12/paterson-passing-on-congressional-run/|title=David Paterson Passes on Congressional Campaign|website=The New York Observer|date=December 10, 2013}}

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.{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/manhattan/gov-paterson-takes-professorship-touro-college-article-1.1275509|title=Former Gov. David Paterson Returns to 125th St. in Harlem For a New Job: Touro College Professor|last1=Feeney|first1=Michael J.|date=March 4, 2013|department=Manhattan|publisher=N.Y. Daily News|location=New York|language=en|access-date=September 3, 2016}} Paterson was a director for investments with Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, a financial services holding company.{{cite press release|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/former-new-york-governor-david-paterson-joins-stifel-in-new-york-city-300307099.html|title=Former New York Governor David Paterson Joins Stifel In New York City|website=www.prnewswire.com}}

In early 2014, Paterson unveiled his portrait that hangs in the Hall of Governors in the New York State Capitol.{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/states/new-york/albany/story/2014/03/a-portrait-of-david-paterson-011320|title=A portrait of David Paterson|first=Laura|last=Nahmias|website=Politico PRO|date=March 3, 2014 }}

In May 2014, Andrew Cuomo appointed Paterson chairman of the New York Democratic Party.{{cite web|url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2014/05/21/david-paterson-to-be-new-chairman-of-new-york-democratic-party/|title=David Paterson To Be New Chairman Of New York Democratic Party|date=May 21, 2014|publisher=CBS New York|access-date=August 25, 2014}} On October 7, 2015, Paterson announced that he would leave that position following the November elections.{{cite web|url=https://observer.com/2015/10/david-paterson-will-step-down-as-chairman-of-the-state-democratic-party/|title=David Paterson Will Step Down as Chairman of the State Democratic Party|website=The New York Observer|date=October 7, 2015}} Paterson oversaw victories in the 2014 state elections, where Democrats held the governor, attorney general, and comptroller positions.{{cite web | url=https://observer.com/2015/10/david-paterson-will-step-down-as-chairman-of-the-state-democratic-party/ | title=David Paterson Will Step Down as Chairman of the State Democratic Party | website=The New York Observer | date=October 7, 2015 }}

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.

In the 2021 New York City Democratic mayoral primary, Paterson endorsed the eventual winner of the primary, Eric Adams.{{cite web |last1=Pazmino |first1=Gloria |title=Former Gov. David Paterson endorses Eric Adams in Democratic primary race for mayor |url=https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2021/06/17/former-governor-david-paterson-endorses-eric-adams-in-democratic-primary-race-for-mayor |access-date=June 18, 2021}}

In the fall of 2021, the Waterfront Alliance, chaired by former Paterson appointee Christopher O. Ward, named Paterson the Hero of the Harbor.{{cite web | url=https://waterfrontalliance.org/2021/09/23/heroes-of-the-harbor-former-governor-david-paterson/ | title=Heroes of the Harbor: Former Governor David Paterson | Waterfront Alliance | date=September 23, 2021 }}

In August 2022, New York Governor Kathy Hochul planted a tree in Paterson's honor at the New York State Executive Mansion.[https://headtopics.com/us/kathy-hochul-stumps-ex-gov-david-paterson-by-dedicating-sugar-maple-tree-in-his-honor-in-albany-29335211 Kathy Hochul stumps ex-Gov. David Paterson by dedicating sugar maple tree in his honor in Albany] Paterson endorsed Kathy Hochul in the 2022 New York gubernatorial election.[https://twitter.com/ZachReports/status/1584968851040931840 Twitter. Zach Reports]

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.{{cite web | url=https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-ny/ny-state-of-politics/2023/03/17/former-gov--paterson-reflects-on-15-years-since-taking-office | title=Former Gov. Paterson reflects on 15 years since taking office }} In 2024, Paterson and his band played a show in the building named after him in Albany.{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/12/nyregion/war-room-albany-paterson.html | title=These Democrats and Republicans Have Something in Common. It's a Bar | work=The New York Times | date=January 12, 2024 | last1=Fandos | first1=Nicholas }}

In 1992, Paterson and Michelle Paige married. Two years later, they had a son.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/06/nyregion/06lives.html|title=No Bed of Roses for a Sudden First Lady|first=Robin|last=Finn|newspaper=The New York Times |date=June 6, 2008}} The couple separated in 2012 and divorced in July 2014.{{cite web|url=http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/New-York-Governor-David-Paterson-Files-Divorce-241404521.html|title=Former NY Gov. Paterson, Wife Divorcing|website=NBC New York|date=January 21, 2014}}

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.{{cite news |last=Fisher |first=Janon |date=August 9, 2019 |title=Dave to wed his angel; Ex-gov to tie knot with Sliwa's former wife |work=New York Daily News |id={{ProQuest|2269982632}}}}  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.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-06 |title=Two boys, ages 12 and 13, charged in assault on ex-NY Gov. David Paterson and his stepson |url=https://apnews.com/article/former-governor-david-patterson-assault-new-york-38db16c115d8e4c21dc48a1d2cd8d870 |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=AP News |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Duddridge |first=Natalie |date=2024-10-07 |title=NYC employees charged in gang assault on former Gov. David Paterson and his stepson, police say - CBS New York |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/david-paterson-anthony-sliwa-gang-assault-arrests/ |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}

Paterson is Catholic.{{Cite web|last=Geoffrey|first=Gray|title=Can David Paterson Keep the State From Becoming a Wreck? -- New York Magazine - Nymag|url=https://nymag.com/news/politics/51018/|access-date=June 18, 2021|website=New York Magazine|date=October 3, 2008 |language=en-us}}

• {{Cite book |last=Paterson |first=David A. |date=September 29, 2020 |title=Black, Blind, & in Charge: A Story of Visionary Leadership and Overcoming Adversity |location=New York |publisher=Skyhorse Publishing |isbn=9781510756335 |oclc=1201201412}}{{cite book |url=https://bookshop.org/books/black-blind-in-charge-a-story-of-visionary-leadership-and-overcoming-adversity/9781510756335|title=Black, Blind, & in Charge: A Story of Visionary Leadership and Overcoming Adversity|date=September 28, 2020 |isbn=9781510756335|access-date=March 11, 2021|via=bookshop.org|last1=Paterson|first1=David |publisher=Skyhorse }}

• List of minority governors and lieutenant governors in the United States

{{reflist|30em}}

• 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.

{{commons category}}

• {{official website|https://governordavidpaterson.com|name=Governor David Paterson's official website}}
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