A defiant Gov. Paterson announced this afternoon that he won’t run for a full term this November following a roiling scandal over whether he and his troopers intimidated a woman who’d reported domestic violence against one of his top aides.
“I am being realistic about politics … It has become increasingly clear to me that I cannot run for office and manage the state’s business at the same time,” he said during a news conference.
The scandal-scarred Paterson, who only took a few questions, added, with one hand raised in the air, that he has “never abused my office — not now, not ever!”
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Before he made the announcement in Midtown, Paterson touted his achievements over the past two years, saying he “laid the foundation for our fiscal and economic rescue.”
He said he also helped “eradicate” the tough Rockefeller drug laws and “introduced landmark legislation to reform” health insurance coverage and other measures to better the lives of New Yorkers.
Paterson first communicated his intentions to top advisers and supporters this morning, The Post report on its Web site this morning.
The governor had told sources he understood he couldn’t run, several insiders said, but then went back and forth internally this morning — as he’s known to do.
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He was supposed to have a big Harlem rally this weekend.
Paterson, who took over the state’s top spot when Eliot Spitzer resigned in 2008 after it was disclosed that he had sex with a prostitute, did not resign and will serve out the remainder of his term.
On Thursday night, Paterson had told his aides that he intended to continue his campaign, which he launched this past weekend. But he also said he would talk to fellow Democrats about his future.
Paterson was hit Thursday with a flurry of body blows following the disclosure that he called a woman who said aide David Johnson attacked her. In addition, the State Police may have intervened in the case.
State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, who likely will become the Democratic nominee for governor, is investigating what happened.
Paterson said he would assist Cuomo in any way possible.
The resignation of Denise E. O’Donnell, Paterson’s deputy secretary for public safety, was the biggest jolt to the governor’s campaign.
“The fact that the governor and members of the State Police have acknowledged direct contact with a woman who had filed for an order of protection against a senior member of the Governor’s staff is a very serious matter,” she wrote in a statement released Thursday. “These actions are unacceptable regardless of their intent.”
Even friends began abandoning Paterson.
Rep. Steve Israel (D-LI) was the first prominent Democrat to call for the governor to ditch his campaign.
“It’s become apparent that he should not seek election, and should announce it soon,” Israel said. “Sometimes, friends have to speak unpleasant truths.”
Rep. Nita Lowey (D-Westchester), went so far as to say that the governor might be too damaged to serve out the remainder of his term.
“Aside from the allegations, the political reality is the governor cannot be an effective candidate or official for New York,” she said.