http://nypost.com/2014/04/17/basil-paterson-political-trailblazer-dead-at-87/Basil Paterson, an influential Harlem Politico died yesterday at 87 years of age.
Paterson got his start as a member of Harlem's "Gang Of Four" with former Manhattan Borough President Percy Sutton,Congressman Charlie Rangel, and New York City Mayor David Dinkins.
Paterson was elected to the New York State Senate in 1965, and was named the Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor in 1970 on a ticket with former Supreme Court Justice and U.N Ambassador
Arthur Goldberg, losing to the incumbents, Nelson Rockafeller and Malcolm Wilson.
In 1979 Paterson became the first African-American to serve as New York's Secretary of State, serving until 1983.
In 2006 Paterson's son David, was elected Lieutenant Governor, and ascended to the Governorship in 2008 when Governor Eliot Spitzer resigned, serving until New Year's 2011.
