David A. Paterson is New York 's first African-American lieutenant governor . Legally blind , Paterson is advocate for visually and physically impaired . Elected to the New York State Senate in 1985 at the age of 31 . Comment:
David A. Paterson is New York 's first African-American lieutenant governor . Legally blind , Paterson is advocate for visually and physically impaired . Elected to the New York State Senate in 1985 at the age of 31 . Father was deputy mayor of New York City , ran for lieutenant governor in 1970 .