DFNYC has joined with other progressive organizations in New York to offer the following expression of support for new NY Governor David Patterson:

New York, March 17th, 2008 – For Immediate Release

The Progressive community of New York State – activists, bloggers, fundraisers, organizers, ordinary men and women from all walks of life – welcomes our new Governor, David Paterson, as he assumes our state's highest office. We recognize that Governor Paterson is the first person of color to hold the office of Governor of New York and the first legally blind person to ever hold the office of Governor in the history of the United States. We are inspired by his life achievements to date, by his impressive and daring record of reform, and we are supremely confident that he is ready to lead our state.

We understand that Governor Paterson will face challenges and opportunities as he takes office. Our new Governor's long history of working with all stake holders will prove a valuable asset in delivering for New Yorkers. We believe that both houses of our legislature require drastic changes in their operations. Transparency and open government still elude our state, and too often, our citizens are shut out of decisions that affect our lives. The voices of too many New Yorkers still do not get heard in our state Capitol. These things must change. Governor Paterson's distinguished record of reform gives us great confidence that he will be an agent of this change.

The Progressive community of New York State is ready to support our new Governor in bringing about the change New York needs; the change that New Yorkers voted for in the 2006 election. After the trials of the recent past, we believe that New Yorkers want Governor Paterson to step forward with a bold plan for change that returns our government to our people and creates a better future for all New Yorkers. We look forward to working with our new Governor as we build a lasting Progressive majority, in Albany and around the state, conversation by conversation, vote by vote, district by district, until New York is again a beacon of Progressive governance bright enough to illuminate our entire nation.

As we look forward to the challenges and opportunities ahead, our thoughts are with Governor Eliot Spitzer and his family in their difficult time. We salute Governor Spitzer's achievements, and wish him and his family the best.

This statement is signed and supported by the following organizations and individuals:

Democracy for NYC
Democracy for America, Rochester
DL21C
Democracy for New York
New Democratic Majority
The Daily Gotham
The Albany Project
The Capitol (D) Group

Lewis Cohen, Finance Director, Democracy for NYC
Tracey Denton, Executive Director, Democracy for NYC
Bernadette Evangelist, Communications Director, Democracy for NYC
Josh Skaller, Field Director, Democracy for NYC
Heather Alexa Woodfield, Director, Democracy for NYC

Phillip Anderson, Co-Founder, The Albany Project
Alan Bedenko, Blogger, Buffalo Pundit
Steve Behar, President, Democrats for New Politics
Thomas J. Belknap, Blogger, DragonFlyEye.Net
Michael Bouldin, Director, New Democratic Majority
Wayne Brooks, Organizer, New Democratic Majority
Elizabeth Caputo, Chair, DL21C
Dorian Dale, Democracy for the 3rd CD
Andrea DiGiorgio, Co-Coordinator, DFA Rochester
Larry Dudley, Coordinator, Democracy For The Greater Glens Falls Area
Chris Evans, Executive Director, Capitol (D) Group
George Farenthold, Village Trustee, Chairman, Aurora DFA
Alan Goldston, Organizer/Chair, Democracy for Westchester
Robert Harding, Blogger, The Albany Project
Steven Harrison, Democrat for Congress, NY-13
Edward Hartzog, Executive Director, New Democratic Majority
Judith Hunter, Organizer, Livingston County for Democracy
Brian Keeler, Co-founder, The Albany Project
John McBride, Organizer, Democracy for New York
David Michaelson, Editor, The Daily Gotham
Daniel Millstone, Editor, The Daily Gotham
Joseph Muto, Board Member, Independent Neighborhood Democrats (Brooklyn)
Hon. Chris Owens, President, Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats (CBID)
Steve Perez, Blogger and Activist
Kate Powers, President, Democracy for the Hudson Mohawk Region (DFHMR)
John Rennhack, Blogger, www.nassaugopwatch.blogspot.com
Liza Sabater, Publisher, The Daily Gotham
Jo Anne Simon, NYS Committeewoman for 52 AD
Andrew C. White, former President, Democracy for the Hudson-Mohawk Region
Margaret Yonco-Haines, Organizer, TakeNY
Bob Zuckerman, President, Independent Neighborhood Democrats (Brooklyn)