Paterson for New York

Last week, I announced that I am ending my campaign to serve another four years as your governor, so I can concentrate exclusively on the people's business and the challenges that lay before us. This was a difficult decision but, I believe, the right one. I have pledged to put the people first and I am holding to that pledge by casting aside the distractions that would inevitably confront my campaign for governor. Below you will find a statement explaining my decision. I would like to thank all of you for your dedication and support.

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For the past twenty-five years it has been my highest privilege to serve the people of New York, both in the New York State Senate and in the governor's office. In every decision I've made as a public servant, I've asked myself one question: Are we doing what's right for the people of New York?

At times it hasn't been easy, but, no matter how difficult the circumstances, I have never forgotten my oath or my responsibility to serve the people with faith and with integrity.

I've worked with the legislature to reduce a record-breaking $33 billion in deficits-and I've also acted alone, as I did last December, to save the state from insolvency and preserve our credit rating. I've laid the foundation for our fiscal and economic recovery by investing in the innovative high-tech and biotech industries that will drive our future prosperity.

I've leveled the playing field for minority- and women-owned businesses, quadrupling their representation among recipients of state business contracts. I've worked with the legislature to eradicate the Rockefeller Drug Laws, enact stronger penalties against drug kingpins, and reunite families ravaged by the ineffective and unworkable war on drugs.

I've introduced landmark legislation reforming our pension system, our public authority system, our public higher education facilities, and our health insurance coverage system-and I signed into law a bill that will help to finally shut down predatory lending practices.

These measures and others have improved the quality of life for all New Yorkers, now and for generations to come. But there is more work to do, and until last week I was looking forward to continuing my work as governor for another four years. But I am realistic about politics. It hasn't merely been the latest distraction; it has been an accumulation of obstacles that have prevented me from bringing my message to the public.

There are times in public service when you have to take a step back, and that moment has come for me. New York State needs a leader devoted full-time to service, and it is clear that I cannot run for office and manage the state's business at the same time. To that end, I have ended by campaign for governor of the State of New York.

In addition, I am looking forward to a full investigation of the actions taken by myself and by my administration-and I give you this personal oath: I have never abused my office, not now, not ever. And I believe that, when the facts are reviewed, the truth will prevail.

There are 308 days left in my term. I will serve every one of them and continue to fight for the people of the State of New York. We still have very serious challenges to address, and I look to forward to getting back to work.

I'd like to thank all New Yorkers for this wonderful opportunity, and I hope that history will remember that I fought the good fight, that I made the hard choices, and that I put the people first.

Thank you very much.

All my best,
David A. Paterson
Governor of the State of New York