Ex-Gov. David Paterson signaled he needs to let bygones be bygones Wednesday as he endorsed his successor, Andrew Cuomo, to change into New York Metropolis mayor after years of simmering tensions between the 2 males.
Paterson, who endorsed Cuomo together with Manhattan Democratic Celebration boss Keith Wright at a morning press convention in Harlem, acknowledged he was initially a bit reluctant to throw his political weight behind his fellow ex-governor.
“When Andrew asked me for my support, I didn’t do it right away,” he informed reporters at Amy Ruth’s, a soul meals restaurant in Harlem. “But as the campaigns developed, I see him as the best person to lead the city.”
Paterson stepped down as governor in 2010 after Cuomo, then New York’s lawyer common, launched an investigation into allegations that he helped cowl up home violence accusations in opposition to a staffer. Cuomo — who succeeded Paterson as governor after profitable the November 2010 election — additionally investigated Paterson over allegations he lied about his workplace’s solicitation of Yankees World Collection Tickets.
Cuomo was broadly faulted on the time for contributing to the political downfall of Paterson, the state’s first Black governor, who finally by no means confronted costs for the alleged wrongdoing. As just lately as 2021, Paterson stated he “was always pretty leery” of Cuomo.
Cuomo, who himself resigned as governor in 2021 amid accusations he sexually harassed almost a dozen girls and mismanaged nursing dwelling insurance policies through the COVID-19 pandemic, stated it was “heartwarming” to get endorsed by Paterson and Wright, noting they used to work along with his father, the late ex-Gov. Mario Cuomo.
“For them to step up and support me — forget the political impact — it just means a lot to me personally,” he stated.
Cuomo continues to ballot as the favourite to win the June 24 Democratic mayoral main.
When requested whether or not it’s vexing him that Cuomo has reemerged as a severe political contender regardless of resigning himself amid a scandal, Paterson replied, “I’m just glad you all acknowledge how absurd it was to bother me about the Yankee tickets.”
Initially Revealed: June 11, 2025 at 1:15 PM EDT
