Lt. Gov. Delgado won’t run for reelection as Hochul’s running mate

📅 Published: August 16, 2025

📰 Source: newsday_com

Curated by AllZimNews.com

Credit: Newsday/Steve Pfost
ByYancey Royyancey. roy@newsday. com@yanceyroyUpdated June 3, 2025
Lt.

Antonio Delgado said Monday he will run against his boss — Gov.

Kathy Hochul — for governor in 2026, potentially becoming the first No. 2 to try to run against a sitting governor in New York State in more than two decades.

Delgado announced his candidacy in a video, setting up a possible Democratic primary in 12 months.

Though he and Hochul were once united, Delgado has been increasingly critical of the Democratic Party’s direction and, indirectly, of the governor.

Though he doesn’t mention Hochul by name, Delgado said the state needs “bold” leadership that hasn’t been provided. “New York, I’m not here to play the game.

I’m here to change it,” said Delgado, a 48-year-old former Hudson Valley congressman. “What we need right here in New York is bold, decisive, transformational leadership. ”
The national Democratic Governors Association responded with a statement touting Hochul while not addressing Delgado.

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By clicking Sign up, you agree to ourprivacy policy. “The governor knows how to take on big fights and win for New York families — and her agenda is overwhelmingly popular with New Yorkers on both sides of the aisle,” the DGA said. “For years, Governor Hochul has been underestimated — and each time proved her critics wrong. ”
Delgado would be the first lieutenant governor in New York since 1998 to run against his previous running mate.

But the circumstances were a bit different then: Betsy McCaughey switched her enrollment from Republican to Democrat to try to unseat Republican Gov.

McCaughey lost a Democratic primary, but stayed on the ballot as the nominee of the now-defunct Liberal Party and garnered a very small percentage of the vote.

Delgado has been a rising star in state politics.