David Patterson: Factfile
2008-03-12 20:12
New York - With the resignation of Eliot Spitzer over a prostitution scandal, New York gets its first black governor, and the US it's first blind governor, in the shape of David Paterson.
Paterson, 53, who served as Spitzer's deputy in the role of lieutenant governor of New York, is said to be an easy-going, liberal Democrat who gets along with his Republican rivals in the state assembly.
Described as open, forthright, and accommodating, in distinct contrast to Spitzer's more combative style, Paterson will serve out the rest of the governor's term until the end of 2010 when Spitzer hands over to him on Monday.
Considered a long-shot to make governor under normal circumstances, Paterson is said to be likely to bring welcome change in the state assembly, in gridlock since Spitzer took over last year largely over a rift with rival Republicans.
More liberal than Spitzer
The New York Times described Paterson as "widely considered smart, amiable and disarmingly candid," but also largely untested, given that his role as lieutenant governor was largely a ceremonial one.
He is considered more liberal than Spitzer and a more skilled politician, but critics have questioned whether he is too gentle to survive as governor in the cut and thrust of the state assembly.
"He's got a wonderful sense of humour, a very gentle man," the New York Times quoted the city's public advocate Betsy Gotbaum as saying. "In that sense, he's the opposite of Eliot."
Born in New York City in 1954, Paterson developed an infection as a child that left him blind in one eye and with severely restricted sight in the other. He is said to have refused to learn braille as a child.
He went on to study history and then law in New York before joining the prosecutor's office in the borough of Queens.
Breaking the mould
In 1985 he was elected to represent Harlem in New York's state senate, working his way up to minority leader in 2002, where he has introduced legislation on stem cell research, alternative energy and domestic violence.
He is considered to be a good listener, some say due to his blindness, and memorises his speeches.
Paterson comes from a family with a history of breaking the mould. His father Basil Paterson, was the first black secretary of state of New York and vice-chair of the national Democratic Party.
The Times recounted an anecdote from former governor Mario Cuomo recalling playing basketball against Paterson in a charity game a decade ago.
"David was on the other side," Cuomo said. "I said: 'What are you doing here? You're supposed to be blind.' He said, 'I'm guarding you.'
"Just what I wanted: a blind guy to guard me. The second time down the court, he stole the ball."
- AFP