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David Paterson Says He "Has Regrets" About Dropping Election Bid

By DNAinfo Staff on June 29, 2010 11:55am

Gov. David Paterson announced he would not run to keep his job on Feb. 25, 2010.
Gov. David Paterson announced he would not run to keep his job on Feb. 25, 2010.
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DNAinfo/Joshua Williams

By Jill Colvin

DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

MANHATTAN — If he had a do-over, Gov. David Paterson might have run again.

Paterson told WBEN radio in Buffalo Tuesday morning that he has "regrets" about leaving the race months ago.

"I do have regrets for not running," the governor said. "But I made my decision four months ago so I'm long past that."

Paterson pulled out of the race for a full term in February after Attorney General Andrew Cuomo launched an investigation into his office's alleged role in a domestic violence dispute involving his former aide, David Johnson.

Paterson has denied any wrongdoing.

Speaking the morning after the legislature took a giant leap toward completing the 2010 budget, Paterson also told the station that knowing he is passing the torch ads extra pressure to get the job done.

"Next year this is going to be someone else's job. And I don't want them to feel that I kicked the can down the road and made them make the tough choices. I would rather make those tough choices," he said.

Paterson has already vetoed $419 million in education spending since the main budget bill passed.