 In October 2008, Paterson launched a campaign website and announced his intention to run for a full term as governor.Paterson's prime Republican opponent was expected to be former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani.By February 2009, after the prolonged Senate appointment process, a Siena College poll indicated that Paterson was losing popularity among New Yorkers and showed Giuliani with a fifteen-point lead in a hypothetical contest.