FACTBOX: Succession scenarios if Spitzer resigns

NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer is facing pressure to resign, as well as questions about whether he will be prosecuted for any crime, after a New York Times report linked him to a high-class prostitution ring as a client.

State Republican leaders have threatened to impeach Spitzer if he does not resign.

Spitzer, who is in the second year of a four-year term that expires at the end of 2010, has apologized for what he called "a private matter" but has not indicated whether he plans to resign.

DOES SPITZER HAVE TO RESIGN?

Spitzer does not have to resign but state lawmakers could call for him to be impeached, particularly if there is evidence he was involved in a crime.

Under the state constitution the governor can be impeached if the majority of assembly members vote to do so. The Democrats control the assembly, so members of Spitzer's own party would need to turn against him in order for him to be impeached.

In a trial, the impeachment court would be made up of senators and judges from the New York State Court of Appeals, the state's highest court.

If Spitzer did resign, as many expect, he would have to address a letter of resignation to the legislature and deliver it to the secretary of state, said Russ Haven, legislative council for the New York Public Interest Research Group in Albany.

WHO WOULD BECOME GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK?

If Spitzer resigns or is removed from office, Lt. Governor David Paterson, a Democrat, would ascend to the governorship for the remainder of his term. If Spitzer is impeached, Paterson would act as governor during the impeachment process.

Paterson