Paterson 2010 Gets a Manager

ALBANY—A day after another blistering poll and amid efforts to shore up his standing within the party, David Paterson announced he has hired Richard Fife as his campaign manager.

Fife, an Obama delegate and adviser to the president's campaign in New York (when many of New York's established politicos were with Hillary Clinton), is a lifelong New Yorker and has worked in several local and state-level campaigns. His mother, Barbara, worked in the administration of David Dinkins. As Liz notes, he was slated to manage Carolyn Maloney's abortive primary challenge to Kirsten Gillibrand.

Fife joins Tracy Sefl, Paterson's campaign spokeswoman, and Mike Schell, the campaign's political director. Here's the release Sefl sent out this morning:

Governor David A. Paterson today announced that Richard Fife, a veteran of New York Democratic campaigns and politics, has been named campaign manager of his 2010 gubernatorial effort.

Fife, a lifelong New Yorker, brings over thirty years of Democratic campaign management and political consulting experience to Governor Paterson's effort.  In his most recent capacity as President of RJF Communications, Inc., he served as a senior New York advisor to the Presidential campaign for Barack Obama, where he was closely involved in delegate, grassroots, and media activities across the state.  He served as an Obama delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 2008 and a New York member of the Electoral College.
 
Governor Paterson said, "I'm thrilled to bring Richie onto my growing campaign team.  His expertise is critical as we move into the election year, and I welcome his insights into shaping our statewide effort.  He shares my commitment to bringing a true economic recovery to the state, and his leadership will help us deliver that message to all New Yorkers.  As well, he understands the importance of making tough decisions when times call for it, and I welcome him as a partner in my campaign effort for 2010."

Richard Fife said, "I am honored to help lead Governor Paterson's campaign. During difficult times, Governor Paterson has shown the strength and leadership necessary to avoid the dire economic realities other states now confront, and he has built a record of real results for the people of New York. I'm excited about working with him, and his supporters around the state, to win this campaign."

Fife worked for more than ten years with David Garth and the Garth Group, one of the nation's premier political consulting firms, where he developed strategy and produced media for Mayoral, Congressional, Senatorial, Gubernatorial and Presidential campaigns in more than fifteen states and was named one of forty rising stars in politics by Campaigns & Elections' Politics Magazine.  Among the campaigns he worked on were Hugh Carey's re-election as Governor of New York, Tom Bradley for Governor of California and Jay Rockefeller for Senator from West Virginia.

He has advised a range of clients in the United States and internationally, including Fortune 500 companies, in developing and implementing large-scale corporate image campaigns, major consumer firms on the new product introductions, numerous non-profit groups and issue campaigns, and served as Senior Advisor for Carl McCall's 2002 campaign for Governor of New York.

Fife is the son of former David Dinkins' Deputy Mayor Barbara Fife.  He is a graduate of Brown University and lives in New York City with his wife, Debbie, and two children.