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As the churn and swirl of media coverage from the Eliot Spitzer scandal fade from memory, people across the nation are making the acquaintance of a new governor who will surely make history. That’s because David Paterson, New York’s new governor, has faced a significant obstacle in his ascent to power.

And no, we’re not talking about that fact that he’ll be only the third African-American governor in American history. We’re not pointing out that he grew up in poverty. We’re not even referring to the fact that the governor is legally blind. No doubt you’ve read all that already.The history-making significant obstacle that Paterson overcame to lead one of our nation’s biggest states has received almost no news coverage or public discussion. Yet it sets him apart from so many others.

More than his race, background or any physical feature, Governor Paterson stands out nationally as a liberal African-American Democrat who strongly supports the rights of parents to choose the best school for their children. That such a specimen exists will surely flummox the leaders of teachers unions and other school choice opponents everywhere, but in the Empire State he doesn’t just exist, he’s about to thrive.

By every account – from Republicans, Democrats and all others in a position to know – Paterson is affable, intelligent and possessed of a knack for bringing people together even when their ideologies clash. These skills will suit him well if he adds his career-long crusade for schoolchildren to his priorities as governor.

As a New York state senator, Paterson was the key elected official ensuring the state lifted its cap on charter schools. In the face of fierce opposition from purveyors of the status quo, Paterson was steadfast in his resolve to bring educational opportunity to New York children.

Although the ranks of Democrats who support real educational opportunities for kids are finally growing, the great party of Jefferson, Jackson and FDR is still dominated by the one-size-fits-all mentality when it comes to education. So it’s good news that someone who wants to help parents choose the best learning environment now has the platform to make it happen.

As Paterson rose from minority leader of the New York Senate to lieutenant governor and now governor, he championed the state’s school choice movement by lifting the cap on charters and unabashedly speaking out for the kind of educational reform that would give kids in all corners of his state a fair shake and a fair shot at success. Perhaps because of his strength of character and reputation for tenacity, he was able to bypass the road most often taken by reform-minded leaders: suppressing their support of bold education interventions when the union bosses come knocking.

David Paterson understands that children – like those who grew up around him in Harlem – face the most dismal prospects for life when they are uneducated. He knows that schools have perpetuated a status quo mentality and poor kids and children of color in particular, face an uphill battle in all too many communities. Schools of choice – whether charters or private schools – are fundamental to improving education.

While we welcome the opportunities for African-Americans that the historic candidacy of Barack Obama brings, advancing one person to high office can only do so much. For African-Americans to truly assume the mantle of leadership in America, there must be a diversity of thought and advocacy on the issue that matters most to the children of our cities – public education. And when more Democrat and African-American leaders begin to advocate for more choices and better chances, Governor David Paterson will begin to have some well-deserved company.

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Jeanne Allen, a Republican, is President of the Center for Education Reform. Kevin P. Chavous, a former District of Columbia Councilmember, chairs Democrats for Education Reform.