Tim Roske / AP Photo
State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo may be following in his father’s footsteps, now that New York Governor David Paterson has dropped his bid for election. Although Cuomo did not receive the Democratic gubernatorial nomination in 2002, Paterson has made room at the top of the list for the New York legacy this time around. “It puts him as the early odds-on favorite for a multitude of reasons—money, name recognition, popular standing, momentum,” one pollster said. On Friday, Cuomo issued the following statement: “I am sure this is a difficult choice and a sad day for the governor and his family. It is in the best interests of all New Yorkers that the state government function through this difficult time and address the pressing budgetary problems we face.” Though he has yet to announce his official plans, a Marist poll this month put Cuomo ahead of the only announced Republican gubernatorial candidate, former Rep. Rick Lazio.