David Patterson announced his re-election for the New York Governor’s office today at Hofstra University on Long Island. Patterson has a very long road if he is going to obtain the governorship by will of the electorate. Patterson initially became governor of New York after Elliot Spitzer stepped down following Spitzer’s name showing up in an indictment of an escort ring. Although Spitzer was never formally charged, the mere mention of his name was enough to tarnish his credibility.

Patterson faces several key issues that he must overcome to even have a shot at surviving the Democratic primary. (after the jump)

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NEW YORK (WPIX) – PIX News has learned that federal prosecutors are investigating Governor David Paterson’s awarding of a lucrative contract to a politically connected group to run a gaming center at Aqueduct Raceway.WPIX

Evidently David Patterson’s troubles have more to do with business then any perceived private failing.  Given, Patterson’s and for that matter Cuomo’s deep ties into New York politics it will be intertesting to see how this latest turn of events plays out.  This may have to do with the threats back and forth between Cuomo’s group and Patterson’s allies.

In the long-term I think this shows that Patterson really was not prepared to handle the level of in-fighting he would need to hold onto the position of Governor. By choosing Gillibrand (over Kennedy), Patterson alienated the Chicago crew, and also wasted the opportunity to get rid of Cuomo.  If Patterson was going to go against the Chicago guys just to show his independence (or something), he should have helped himself out more.