Spitzer, Eliot, 1959-

<p>Eliot Laurence Spitzer (born June 10, 1959) is an American politician, attorney, educator, and real estate developer. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as the 54th Governor of New York from 2007 until his resignation in 2008.</p>

<p>Born in New York City, Spitzer attended Princeton University and earned his law degree from Harvard. He began his career as an attorney in private practice with New York law firms and as a prosecutor with the office of the New York County (Manhattan) District Attorney. From 1999 to 2006, he served two four-year terms as the Attorney General of New York, earning a reputation as the "Sheriff of Wall Street" for his efforts to curb corruption in the financial services industry. Spitzer was elected Governor of New York in 2006 by the largest margin of any candidate, but his tenure would last less than two years after it was uncovered that he patronized a prostitution ring. He resigned immediately following the scandal, with the remainder of his term served by David Paterson, his lieutenant governor.</p>

<p>Since leaving the governorship, Spitzer has worked as a television host and an adjunct instructor at City College of New York, along with engaging in real estate activity and making private investments in a start-up company. He also ran for New York City Comptroller in 2013, losing the Democratic nomination to the eventual winner, Scott Stringer.</p>

<p>Eliot Spitzer was born on June 10, 1959, in the Bronx. He received his undergraduate degree from the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University and his law degree from Harvard Law School. After law school, he clerked for U.S. District Judge Hon. Robert W. Sweet.</p>

<p>After serving as a clerk,Spitzer became an Assistant DA in New York, quickly rising to the position of Chief of the Labor and Racketeering Unit. Later, after a few years working in private practice, Spitzer returned to public service in 1998 by becoming the Attorney General of New York. In eight years as Attorney General, he became a national figure for his landmark cases to protect investors, consumers, low-wage workers and the environment.</p>

<p>Spitzer was inaugurated as New York’s 54th Governor on January 1, 2007. In his first year, he enacted the significant education reform; reduced property taxes for middle-class New Yorkers; and enacted health care reform to cover all children. Governor Spitzer particularly focused on revitalizing New York’s economy and advancing an agenda for economic growth and opportunity. He reformed regulations to save businesses over $1 billion, making both Upstate and Downstate New York more competitive, and broke gridlock on key infrastructure and economic development projects, including the rebuilding of the World Trade Center site.</p>

<p>Spitzer resigned from office March 17, 2008.</p>

<p>Governor Spitzer and his wife Silda have three daughters.</p>