March 11, 2008 Profile: New York Lt. Gov. David Paterson Play video

(NECN/ABC) - According to the New York State Constitution, if Governor Eliot Spitzer in fact resigns the lieutenant governor would succeed him. That person is David Paterson, a man with a long history in New York State politics.

In 2006 David Paterson made history when voters elected him New York's first African-American lieutenant governor.

Some would say Paterson has made history throughout his career. Elected to the state senate in 1985, Paterson represented Harlem.

As a state senator he led the charge on a wide range of issues from stem cell research to using alternative energy and domestic violence.

In 2002 he became the first African-American elected as minority leader in the New York State senate and in 2004 he became the first blind person to address a Democratic National Convention.

Lt. Governor Paterson is legally blind and is recognized as a leading advocate for the visually and physically impaired. He is a graduate of Columbia and Hofstra Law School and comes from a line of politicians. His father Basil was the first African-American secretary of state of New York.

He lives in Harlem with his wife Michelle and their two children.

Reporter Joe Torres takes a closer look.