ALBANY — David Paterson, New York’s 55th governor and the first African-American and legally blind person to hold that office, now has a permanent presence in the Capitol’s Hall of Governors.
Paterson’s official portrait was unveiled Sunday afternoon at an event attended by a host of former and current state leaders.
Gov. Cuomo introduced Paterson at the event, hailing his leadership through a time of fiscal catastrophe. Paterson took office March 17, 2008, just as the nation’s financial system began its meltdown.
Paterson was lieutenant governor under Gov. Eliot Spitzer and rose to governor when Spitzer resigned amid a prostitution scandal.
Cuomo said Paterson’s greatest legacy was repealing onerous drug laws and avoiding unwise debt.
Paterson’s decision not to seek election to a full term in 2010 cleared the way for then-Attorney General Andrew Cuomo to run.