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Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado of New York has announced that he will not join Governor Kathy Hochul on the Democratic ticket for the 2026 election. Delgado, who was appointed to his current role in 2022, confirmed on Monday (February 24) that he plans to complete his term, which ends in January 2027, but will explore other political opportunities.
Delgado's decision comes amid increasing tensions with Governor Hochul. He has been vocal about his disagreements with some of her decisions, including her handling of New York City Mayor Eric Adams' involvement in a bribery scandal. In his announcement, Delgado emphasized his commitment to serving New Yorkers and hinted that "all options are on the table" for his political future, potentially including a gubernatorial run.
Governor Hochul's office responded to Delgado's announcement by stating that they have already begun the process of selecting a new running mate for the 2026 election. Communications Director Anthony Hogrebe remarked, "Today, Antonio Delgado finally said out loud what has been obvious for quite some time: he is simply not interested in doing the job of the Lieutenant Governor of the State of New York." Hochul's administration is also reallocating Delgado's responsibilities to ensure that important initiatives are not neglected.
According to NBC5, Delgado has not yet announced any plans to challenge Hochul for her seat in 2026, but his statement leaves open the possibility of future political endeavors. As reported by ABC7NY, Delgado's decision not to run with Hochul was expected, and the administration is already taking steps to ensure a smooth transition. Fox5NY notes that Delgado's political career began as a congressman representing New York’s 19th Congressional District before being selected as lieutenant governor.