Former Gov. David Paterson has issued a statement praising his successor (and onetime potential primary opponent), Gov. Andrew Cuomo, for succeeding where he failed in 2009.

Paterson also couldn’t help but give himself a little pat on the back. Here’s his statement.

“What Governor Cuomo has done is nothing short of extraordinary and he deserves a tremendous amount of credit for finally providing
common-sense equality to all New Yorkers. Governor Cuomo has already brought landmark reform through the budget process, a property tax cap, and rational tuition for SUNY and CUNY. And now, he has found a way to bring marriage equality to our state and restore New York’s position as a beacon of civil rights for the nation and the world.”

“I want to particularly commend my former Republican senate colleagues – Senators Stephen Saland, James Alesi, Roy McDonald and Mark Grisanti– who acted with courage tonight by voting their conscience. Tonight, I am ecstatic, I am elated, and I am proud to be a New Yorker.”

“Throughout my tenure as Governor and a public servant, I put forward and advocated for a series of reforms aimed at ending discrimination against same-sex couples in New York State. As Senate Minority Leader, I helped the landmark SONDA bill get passed. And upon taking office as Governor, I issued a memorandum directing State agencies to afford recognition to same-sex couples legally married outside of New York to the full extent permitted by law.

“I worked to enact a law that would bring marriage equality to New York. Ultimately, while we were able to get a vote in the senate, that vote failed. But as I said on the Senate floor that day, the night is darkest before the dawn. Tonight, the sun is rising.”

Share|