Officials: Paterson campaign event at Hofstra open to all

ALBANY - Tickets aren't required to attend the Saturday launch of Gov. David A. Paterson's election campaign at Hofstra University, though officials said completing an online registration form would ease entry to the event.

The free event starts at 9:30 a.m. in the university's student center. Doors will open at 8:45 a.m.

"Everybody is welcome to come," said campaign manager Richard Fife. "If you sign up online, at governorpaterson2010.com, it will be quicker to enter the building."

The registration form is located in the events section of the Web site.

After the Hofstra visit, Paterson will make similar announcements at a Rochester union hall on Saturday afternoon and at a restaurant in a Buffalo suburb on Sunday morning. He will hold a rally and receive endorsements at 2 p.m. on Sunday at the Our Children's Foundation in Harlem.

Paterson is the only Democrat to have publicly declared his candidacy for governor, though Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is expected to mount a primary challenge. Republicans have coalesced around former Rep. Rick Lazio of Brightwaters.