As the state shook, David Paterson called former deputy mayor dad

NY Daily News - Just two years ago, Paterson reluctantly agreed to become Spitzer's running mate. He resigned his post as Senate minority leader just as the Democrats were poised to possibly wrest control of that chamber after decades of Republican rule.He left a powerful post for a thankless and largely ceremonial job - a post that no one cares about, until a governor dies or resigns. Read More...

The Winds of Albany

New York Times - I spent some time talking to David and Basil Paterson this week, asking them especially about the remarkable changes they’ve witnessed over the course of their lives. Both grew up in Harlem (Basil was a well-known stickball champion), and both triumphed over difficult circumstances that they refused to allow to become debilitating.Read More...

State's Democratic chair knows 48th Senate district well

Post-Standard - Had you been driving through downtown Canton during Tuesday's special election for the 48th state Senate district, you might have spotted a woman waving a Darrel Aubertine sign. That was June O'Neill, chairwoman of the state Democratic Party Committee. O'Neill wasn't just working to elect a Democrat; she was working to elect her own state senator - and capitalizing on a shift in Upstate party registration. Read More...

Election stumble shows state Republican Party out of step

Albany Times Union - he simple truth is the state Republican Party deserves to be tossed out on its ear. It has brought this crisis on itself. Just look at the face of the Republican Party in today's Legislature against the profile of who and what is New York.Read More...

AUBERTINE SWORN IN AS SENATOR

WWNY - Democrat Darrel Aubertine was sworn in as the 48th state senate district's senator at 12:30 Wednesday afternoon. It's the first time in more than a century that a Democrat will represent the district.. Read More...

IN BLOW TO GOP, AUBERTINE WINS BY 52 TO 47 PERCENT

Albany Times Union - In a blow to Senate Majority Leader Bruno and the state Republican Party, Democratic Assemblyman Darrel Aubertine wins the race for the 48th Senate District. With all districts reporting, but not counting absentee ballots, Aubertine, of Cape Vincent, beats Republican Assemblyman Will Barclay of Pulaski, 27,901 to 25,345 votes, or 52 to 47 percent. Read More...

UPSET SENDS DEMOCRAT TO ALBANY

In a major victory for Gov. Eliot Spitzer and his party, a Democratic assemblyman won a stunning upset in a State Senate election on Tuesday in a district that has been in Republican hands for a century. The win reduces the Republicans' majority to one seat and will intensify pressure on the majority leader, Joseph L. Bruno, as he tries to maintain his party's grip on the Senate, which it has controlled for more than 40 years. "I think it has to send shivers up their spines," said the state Democratic chairwoman, June O'Neill, about the Republicans, as whoops and hollers erupted around her at a victory party for Mr. Aubertine at an Italian-American civic club in Watertown. She added: "The Democratic Party can meet and beat the Republican machine anywhere. If we can do it here, we can do it anywhere." Read More...