Hochul's estranged lieutenant announces he will challenge her in NY governor's race

Yahoo

3 hours ago

ALBANY – Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado is challenging his estranged boss, incumbent Gov. Kathy Hochul, in next year's election.
Delgado called for 'bold, decisive, transformational leadership' for New York in a video launching his campaign for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, released alongside an interview in The New York Times Monday afternoon.
'It's love of family, it's love of community, it's love of state, it's love of country — and I'm dedicated to that,' Delgado says in the spot. 'That's why I'm running for governor of New York.'
The video and Times story were released moments after The Post reported that Delgado was telling allies that he would make his campaign plans public sometime this week.
The former Hudson Valley congressman formally split from Hochul earlier this year following significant public disagreements between the two.
Delgado first attracted the governor's ire last summer when he publicly called for President Biden to drop out of the 2024 presidential race.
Hochul, at the time, was an outspoken voice in the chorus of Democrats still cheering on the dithering president despite clear evidence of his failing health.
Delgado also got out in front of Hochul earlier this year when he called for Mayor Eric Adams to resign amid his swirling corruption scandals.
While sources familiar with the two's declining relationship said they were heading towards a public breakup for months, Delgado made it 'social media official' on Feb. 24, suddenly announcing that he wouldn't run for re-election as her No. 2 next year.
'There are a lot of folks in politics who wake up every single day thinking about everything but the damn people,' Delgado told a room full of Democrats in his hometown of Schenectady a day later in what unmistakably resembled a campaign speech.
The abrupt announcement prompted Hochul to take away many of Delgado's state perks, like his capitol office and even official email, according to the sources.
Since then, Delgado has been using an email address set up for him by the state Senate, which he technically presides over as lieutenant governor, according to a source familiar with the situation.
He has spent the last few weeks traipsing around all corners of the state hosting town hall events.
A spokesperson for Governor's campaign declined to comment, but referred The Post to a statement from the Hochul-friendly Democratic Governors Association.
'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 statement from Democratic Governors Association Executive Director Meghan Meehan-Draper read.
'The Democratic Governors Association is 100 percent behind Governor Hochul as she continues to deliver for New York, take on Donald Trump, and build the operation it will take to beat Republicans up and down the ballot in 2026,' it continued.
Delgado would no doubt struggle in an attempt to topple Hochul — who became governor in 2021 after Andrew Cuomo resigned in disgrace and who was elected to a full term the following year.
She has an undeniable advantage in name recognition, a massive $15 million campaign war chest and the benefit of keeping New York's powerful unions and other special interests happy as the incumbent.
According to Siena College polling's most recent survey, Delgado would currently receive just 12% of the vote in a matchup including him, Hochul and Bronx Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY) who is also rumored to be considering a bid in the 2026 race.
Hochul won in that simulation, though with only 46% of the vote.
Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY), who posed a bruising primary challenge against Hochul in 2022, was quick to pan Delgado's entry into the race.
'Antonio, you are a talented guy, with a great future. Based upon my experience this may not be the most well-thought out idea!,' Suozzi posted to X.
Delgado was Hochul's second pick after her first lieutenant governor, Harlem state Sen. Brian Benjamin (D-Manhattan) resigned while facing charges he accepted bribes from a real estate developer — a case that was eventually dropped.
She recently made a point to slam the door shut on any chance she may have to serve with Delgado for another four years by shoving a provision into the state budget that would change New York election law so governors and lieutenant governors run as a ticket during the primary, instead of separately as it worked previously.
Hochul's detractors were quick to chime in on Delgado's entry as well.
'Her own Lieutenant Governor that she hand picked is now primarying her which shows she has lost support not just from Republicans and Independents, but Democrat New Yorkers as well,' North Country Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) wrote in a statement.
'Her first LG was indicted for public corruption. Her second LG has announced he's running against her. We can't wait to see who she picks as her third LG candidate,' Hudson Valley Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) snarked on X.