NEW YORK, NY February 02, 2006 —Gubernatorial candidate Eliot Spitzer, has held an unusually-early campaign rally with running-mate David Paterson in Harlem. WNYC's Andrea Bernstein has more.

REPORTER: Spitzer ruffled some feathers when he announced his choice of Paterson to run as Lt. Governor. The Harlem establishment had already chosen a candidate, and Spitzer was accused of being high handed. But yesterday Spitzer and Paterson gathered a whole passel of elected officials and union leaders at City College. Spitzer spoke only briefly, but Paterson laid out a broad vision for the campaign.

PATERSON: Unaffordable health care, unaffordable housing, unemployment, poor schools, New York state can't wait for a federal solution. The Paterson-Spitzer Administration will be up to the task.

REPORTER: After the rally, Paterson was asked if the event was intended to show that Harlem blessed his political marriage, and Paterson answered "Yes."

Several union leaders showed up to support Spitzer, including a large contingent from 1199, the health care workers union. The union's political director says an endorsement is "imminent."