David Paterson: First Black Gov. of NY is also first Blind Governor.

Effective Monday David Paterson is going to become the First African American Governor of New York State. He is also going to be the First Blind Governor of any state in the the US.

Who is David Paterson?

David A. Paterson was elected lieutenant governor of New York in November 2006 on the ticket led by Eliot Spitzer. Mr. Spitzer's resignation on March 12, 2008 over a prostitution scandal suddenly left Mr. Paterson in line to succeed him, with a swearing in scheduled for March 17th.

Previously, Mr. Paterson had served as the minority leader of the state Senate. The scion of a prominent Harlem political family, Mr. Paterson was born legally blind and worked as a prosecutor before entering politics.

Mr. Paterson's decision to become Mr. Spitzer's running mate stunned many in Albany. With the growing strength of Democrats in statewide elections, it seemed only a matter of time before his party took over the chamber, allowing him to join the ruling triumvirate in Albany and take his seat with the governor and the Assembly speaker to decide between them how New York State is governed. By contrast, the lieutenant governor's post brings with it no power and little prestige

topics.nytimes.com...

Paterson is currently the LT. Governor of New York:
www.ny.gov...

Patterson has the current respect and support from the Republicans in the State Legislature and will hopefully be able to handle to States growing economic issues with the bi-partisan support that Spitzer did not have.

Here is the latest wikipedia for David Paterson:
en.wikipedia.org...