By Anna Gustafson
Gov. David Paterson announced Friday he was ending his campaign to run for a full term in office following allegations his administration pressured a woman to drop her charges of domestic violence against one of the governor’s top aides.
“It’s become increasingly clear to me that I cannot run for office and manage the state’s business at the same time,” Paterson said during a packed Friday afternoon news conference in Manhattan.
One week ago, Paterson kicked off his candidacy for office. Since then the governor, who already faced low approval ratings hovering around 25 percent, became embroiled in accusations that he and the state police had intervened in a domestic violence dispute involving David Johnson, a close confidante of Paterson, and Johnson’s longtime girlfriend.
According to reports from The New York Times, the woman had told police Johnson assaulted her last Halloween, choking her and throwing her against a dresser.
The woman had been granted two temporary orders of protection and had said in court the state police tried to persuade her to drop the charges, according to The Times. Following a phone conversation with Paterson the day before, the woman did not appear for a Feb. 7 court hearing about her request for a final protective order against Johnson, and the judge dismissed the case, The Times reported.
Paterson has asked Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, who was expected to run against the governor in the Democratic primary, to investigate the matter.
“I have never abused my office — not now, not ever,” Paterson said at the news conference. “I believe that when the facts are reviewed, the truth will prevail.”
Paterson come into office in March 2008 after former Gov. Eliot Spitzer resigned after reports surfaced he had hired prostitutes.
There has been a growing chorus of calls for the governor to resign, including one from city Comptroller John Liu, a former Flushing councilman.
“We have a $4.1 billion budget deficit to grapple with in New York City and cannot make real progress until the state budget is resolved on time one month from now,” Liu said. “In order for this to happen, we need Gov. Paterson to step down now.”
Liu praised Richard Ravitch, the state’s lieutenant governor who would replace Paterson, calling him “the person most able to steer clear of politics, bring people together, and bring about a balanced, on-time state budget.” Paterson appointed Ravitch lieutenant governor in September 2009.
State Assemblyman Rory Lancman (D-Fresh Meadows) said he was disturbed by the reports about Paterson and the state police.
“If the allegations we’re reading about in the paper are true%u2026 then I don’t see how the governor could or should remain in office,” Lancman said. “The question is whether that’s what happened and whether or not that’s going to come out in the next few days or will be the product of a long investigation.”
GOP gubernatorial hopeful Rick Lazio, of Long Island, called Paterson’s statement “another sad chapter in New York State government.”
Reach reporter Anna Gustafson by e-mail at agustafson@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4574.
