David Paterson is an American politician who served as the 55th Governor of New York from 2008 to 2010. He was the first African American to hold this position and also the first visually impaired governor in U.S. history. Before becoming governor, Paterson was a member of the New York State Senate and held various leadership roles within the state government. Paterson took office following the resignation of Eliot Spitzer, who stepped down amid a scandal. During his tenure, he focused on issues such as budget deficits, education reform, and healthcare. After leaving office, Paterson has remained active in public speaking and political commentary.