Politics on the Hudson

Gov. David Paterson just announced that he hired a new communications director—at a salary of $175,000 a year ($4,000 less than the governor) —to replace Christine Anderson, who served in that position under former Gov. Eliot Spitzer. Risa Heller, a senior vice president at Global Strategy Group in New York City, begins the new job Monday.

Heller was communications director to U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-New York, from 2005 to mid-2007. She previously had communications and legislative positions for a U.S. representative from California, Rabinowitz Media, Hadassah and the Anti-Defamation League.

Anderson will stay on through May 9 as communications adviser, Paterson said. “Her sage advice and counsel have been invaluable to me during the transition and I am most grateful for her generous and professional response over the past several weeks,” he said.

Spitzer resigned March 17 after revelations he was involved in a high-class prostitution ring.