NEW YORK governor David Paterson, who repeatedly and defiantly said he would let voters decide if he should run the state, abruptly quit his nascent election bid yesterday amid a stalled agenda, faltering popularity and criticism of his handling of a domestic abuse case involving one of his most trusted aides.

GOVERNOR Eliot Spitzer’s resignation became official yesterday, paving the way for Lieutenant Governor David Paterson to take the oath of office and become New York’s chief executive.