(AP) - An appellate judge has overruled a decision that blocked Gov. David Paterson from appointing a lieutenant governor.

Paterson on Wednesday named Richard Ravitch as lieutenant governor. He was hoping to break a leadership logjam in the state Senate.

The ruling by state Supreme Court Associate Justice Leonard Austin in Nassau County overturns a restraining order that Republicans had obtained earlier Thursday.

A separate hearing on whether Paterson can appoint a lieutenant governor is scheduled for Friday.

Paterson already swore in Ravitch on Wednesday night to try to help resolve a Senate standoff that had dragged on since June 8. The turmoil ended Thursday when the dissident Democrat who joined Republicans returned to the Democratic conference.