David A. Paterson is New York 's first African - American lieutenant governor . Legally blind , Paterson is advocate for visually and physically disabled . E-mail to a friend . Elected to the New York State Assembly in 1967 at the age of 31 . Paterson was deputy mayor of New York City , running for lieutenant governor in 1970 .
David A. Paterson is New York 's first African - American lieutenant governor . Legally blind , Paterson is advocate for visually and physically disabled . Elected to the New York State Assembly in 1967 at the age of 31 . Paterson was deputy mayor of New York City , running for lieutenant governor in 1970 .