Gov. David A. Paterson is set to announce that he will not seek election in the wake of reports that he and the State Police intervened in a domestic-assault case against a senior aide, according to a person told about the plans.
He is expected to make the announcement this afternoon.
It would follow a tumultuous Thursday when, following revelations about the governor’s involvement in the abuse case, many of his political allies suggested he stand down from his bid to be elected. In a news conference late in the day, the governor said he would stay in the race, but that he would also seek counsel from other Democrats about how to proceed with his political future.
The state awoke on Friday to calls for the governor’s resignation from newspaper editorial writers, which only added to the increasing belief that it would be impossible for him to run the state and a campaign while the abuse case, and its handling by both him and the State Police, is under investigation. He has asked the state’s attorney general, Andrew M. Cuomo, an assumed political rival for the governorship, to investigate the case.
