ALBANY, N.Y. AP – As Eliot Spitzer departs the governor’s office in disgrace, his replacement will face political challenges in place long before the prostitution scandal that paralyzed the state Capitol.

Lt. Gov David Paterson will try to heal bruised relations with lawmakers in both parties who were offended by Spitzer’s confrontational leadership style. He also faces a tight budget in a slowing economy and memories of divisive issues from Spitzer’s less than 15-month tenure.