NY Gov. Paterson set to launch election bid

[February 20, 2010]  HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (AP) -- Trailing in the polls and facing the prospect of a challenge from a well-financed fellow Democrat, David Paterson is set to launch his campaign for a full four-year term as New York's governor.

Paterson's campaign kickoff is scheduled Saturday morning at Hofstra University, where he attended law school.

He has stops later Saturday in Rochester and on Sunday in western New York, becoming the first Democrat in the race, but probably not the last.

Political pundits are predicting Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, the son of former Gov. Mario Cuomo, will challenge Paterson in a Democratic primary. Cuomo has remained mum about his future, but has raised more than $16 million compared to Paterson's $3 million.

[Associated Press; By FRANK ELTMAN]

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.