prostitution

When it comes to covering a political sex scandal, it’s important to have someone from New Jersey on your team. Maybe that’s why The New York Times brought in New Jersey reporter David Chen as part of the team that began working the Eliot Spitzer prostitution story since yesterday afternoon. And Steve Kornacki, who covered the withdrawal of U.S. Sen. Bob Torricelli in 2002 and the resignation of Gov. James E. McGreevey in 2004, is the point man for the New York Observer's coverage of the Spitzer scandal.

Garden State Equality President Steven Goldstein today praised New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer for his longtime support of same-sex marriage:

“I was Eliot Spitzer’s press secretary in his successful 1998 campaign for New York State Attorney General. I came to know him and his wife Silda well. They are both two of the most wonderful people you could ever meet. Silda is every bit as brilliant, accomplished and downright nice as Eliot is. I love them both and my heart aches.

Gov. Jon Corzine has not spoken to New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer today, according to his spokesman, and released a short statement: "These are serious and disturbing accusations that are completely at odds with the man I know. They come as a complete shock,” Corzine said. “As the governor said, his actions are a clear violation of his own sense of right and wrong. He will have to regain credibility not only with his family but with the public."

When Governor James E. McGreevey resigned in August, 2004, there was some talk of a November, 2004 Special Election to fill the remaining fourteen months of his term. McGreevey waited three months to actually leave office, eliminating the chances of an election; that allowed Richard Codey to complete his term. The New York Constitution is different: if a Governor resigns, the elected Lieutenant Governor becomes Governor for the remainder of the term. If Eliot Spitzer were to resign, Lt. Gov. David Paterson would become Governor and serve until January 2011.