New York Gov. David Paterson will hold a news conference in New York City on Friday afternoon, during which he is expected to announce that he will quit the gubernatorial race. (Jason Reed/Reuters)

New York Gov. David Paterson announced Friday that he's quitting the gubernatorial race in the wake of a domestic abuse case involving one of his top aides.

"There are times in politics when you have to know not to strive for service but to step back, and that moment has come for me," Paterson said at a news conference at his New York City office shortly after 3 p.m. ET with his wife by his side. "Today, I am announcing that I'm ending my campaign for government of New York. It's become clear to me in the last few days that I can't run for office and try to manage the state's business at the same time."

Paterson also said that he's looking forward to a "full investigation of actions taken by myself and my administration."

"I have never abused my office, not now, not ever, and I believe when the facts are reviewed, the truth will prevail," he said.

Paterson only announced his election campaign a week ago but he faced mounting calls to drop out of the race in recent days in the midst of controversy.

The governor has been weighed down by low approval numbers for months. His problems intensified in recent weeks with a series of critical articles in the New York Times.

One story published Thursday raised questions about how Paterson and state police officials responded to a domestic abuse complaint lodged against his trusted top aide, David Johnson.

Court papers said state police may have pressured the woman not to level criminal charges against Johnson. The newspaper also said Paterson spoke with the woman personally, although the governor's office said it was the woman who placed the call.

Paterson's decision to end his campaign comes just 19 days short of his two-year anniversary as governor. He replaced former governor Eliot Spitzer who resigned in disgrace in 2008 after being linked to a high-priced prostitution ring.

The governor said he will serve in his position for the remaining 308 days left in his term.

Paterson's decision not to run for governor paves the way for Attorney General Andrew Cuomo to make an unimpeded run for the Democratic nomination.

With files from The Associated Press