February 06, 2006

Spitzer Chooses Blind Senator As Running Mate

By Dave Reynolds, Inclusion Daily Express (subscribe)

ALBANY, NY --New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer has chosen State Senate Minority Leader David A. Paterson to be his running mate in his upcoming bid for governor.

If Spitzer, who is considered the Democratic front-runner, is elected, Paterson would become lieutenant governor and likely the highest-ranking blind politician in the United States.

Paterson, 51, was born with no sight in his left eye and very little sight in his right eye.

According to the New York Times, Paterson's family moved from Harlem to Long Island where he was educated in regular classrooms. It took him just three years to earn his high school diploma. He then went on to college at Columbia University and later graduated from Hofstra Law School.

An African-American, Paterson became the Senate's minority leader three years ago, and helped his party gain three seats during the last election.

"He is one of the most articulate spokesmen for what needs to be done," the Buffalo News quoted an anonymous Spitzer aide. "Eliot wants the lieutenant governor to be a major figure in state government, and he just believes David is best suited to do that."

Many political experts have suggested that Spitzer could be positioning himself for a possible future run for the White House.

Related:
"Spitzer prefers Paterson to be his running mate" (Buffalo News)

"For a Politician in a Position to Gain Power, a Stunning Move" (New York Times)

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Posted on February 06, 2006