after spitzer resigned in the wake of a prostitution scandal, paterson was sworn in as governor of new york on march 17, 2008. paterson held the office of governor during the great recession, and he implemented state budget cuts. paterson also made two significant appointments: in january 2009, he appointed then-u.s. representative kirsten gillibrand to a vacant u.s. senate seat, and in july 2009, he appointed richard ravitch as lieutenant governor. paterson launched a campaign for a full term as governor in the 2010 gubernatorial election, but announced on february 26, 2010 that he would bow out of the race. during the final year of his administration, paterson faced allegations of witness tampering, soliciting improper gifts, and making false statements; he was eventually fined for having lied under oath. since leaving office, paterson has been a radio talk show host and served as chairman of the new york democratic party from may 2014 to november 2015.