Only the next few days will tell, but he could be the next Governor of New York.
His transition into the top government job in New York State will be a historical one.
If Eliot Spitzer resigns, David Paterson will be the first African-American governor of New York.
He will also be the first legally-blind governor in the history of the United States.
David Paterson was born on May 20th, 1954 in Brooklyn. From birth, he has suffered from optic atrophy, leaving him sightless in his left eye and little sight in his right. In 1977, he received a bachelor's degree from Columbia University and a law degree from Hofstra Law School. He failed the New York Bar Exam, partly because of the lack of support the exam offered the visually impaired.
Not letting it deter him, Paterson joined future New York mayor David Dinkins in his bid for Manhattan Borough President. In 1993, he ran for Public Advocate, which is New York's second highest-ranking office.
In 2006, he was elected Lieutenant Governor of New York, along with Governor Eliot Spitzer. The campaign nearly fell apart when he claimed that his staff was being "frozen out" by members of Spitzer's camp, even going as far as pulling himself off the ticket.
David Paterson, along with his political career, has worked to improve the conditions for the visually-impaired. He has fought for changes to the Bar Exam, which would make it more accessible for those with disabilities. He is a member of American Foundation for the Blind, as well as the Achilles Track Club.
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