AP Top News at 3:24 p.m. EST

AP Top News at 3:24 p.m. EST

NY Gov. Paterson drops election bid amid scandal

NEW YORK — New York Gov. David Paterson has officially ended his election bid. At a news conference in New York City on Friday, Paterson cited an accumulation of distractions, but said he had never abused his office. He says he is “being realistic about politics” and says he never abused his office, “not now, not ever.” Paterson formally announced his campaign last weekend but had faced mounting calls to drop out of the race.