Difference between revisions of "David A. Paterson"
(add) |
Chippeterson (talk | contribs) |
||
| Line 36: | Line 36: | ||
[[Category:New York Governors]] | [[Category:New York Governors]] | ||
[[Category:Democratic Governors]] | [[Category:Democratic Governors]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
Revision as of 16:07, August 26, 2009
| David A. Paterson | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| |||
| Governor of New York From: March 17, 2008 – Present | |||
| Predecessor | Eliot Spitzer | ||
| Successor | Incumbent (no successor) | ||
| Information | |||
| Party | Democratic | ||
| Spouse(s) | Michelle Paige Paterson | ||
| Religion | Roman Catholic | ||
David A. Paterson (b. May 20, 1954, in Brooklyn, NY) is New York’s 55th governor. He earned his bachelor’s degree in History from Columbia University in 1977, and completed his J.D. at Hofstra Law School in 1982. He is the first legally blind person to take the Oath of Office as Governor and New York's first African American Governor.
Paterson is married to Michelle Paige Paterson, and they have two children, Ashley and Alex. His admission on taking office that he had extramarital affairs defused the issue.
Paterson started out with very high approval ratings after he replaced disgraced Governor Eliot Spitzer in March 2008. Even Republicans leaders were dancing in the aisles.
Paterson's popularity collapsed in early 2009, following his confused search for a replacement for the Senate seat vacated by Hillary Clinton, and the sharp downturn in state finances as part of the Recession of 2008.
Paterson finally picked the most conservative possible candidate for the Senate seat, Kirsten Gillibrand, angering liberals.
With the $133 billion state budget in the red by $17.7 billion, Paterson came into conflict with public service unions who rejected his call for sacrifice. Polls in April 2009 show his popularity had fallen to 27% favorable.
Former Mayor of New York City Rudy Giuliani is considering a run as the GOP candidate to oppose Paterson in 2010. Giuliani has a strong base in terms of achievement and voter support, and will probably be a favorite to win.