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Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado has selected India Walton, a progressive activist and former Buffalo mayoral candidate, as his running mate in his Democratic primary challenge against incumbent Governor Kathy Hochul.
The announcement, made Wednesday morning, positions the pair as potentially New York's first all-Black governor and lieutenant governor ticket. Delgado, who currently trails Hochul by 53 points according to a recent Siena University poll, appears to be making a strategic move to shore up support from the Democratic Party's progressive wing.
"India Walton represents exactly the kind of transformational and morally courageous leadership New Yorkers are hungry for," Delgado said in his announcement. "She has never been afraid to challenge the status quo, stand up to powerful interests, and put working families first."
Walton gained national attention in 2021 when she defeated four-term incumbent Byron Brown in Buffalo's Democratic mayoral primary. Though Brown ultimately won the general election through a write-in campaign, Walton's primary victory was seen as a significant moment for progressive politics in New York.
As a nurse, union leader, and member of the Democratic Socialists of America, Walton brings progressive credentials to Delgado's campaign. She has worked with the Working Families Party and advocated for healthcare access, tax fairness, and immigration protections.
"I am humbled and honored to join Lt. Governor Delgado in pursuit of championing a more affordable, equitable, and just New York," Walton said in a statement. "New Yorkers deserve leadership that puts them first and that is what this campaign embodies."
The Delgado-Walton ticket has announced plans to focus on making New York more affordable for families and increasing taxes on wealthy residents. They've also expressed support for passing the "New York for All" Act, which aims to strengthen protections for immigrants, and the New York Health Act, which would establish universal healthcare in the state.
Governor Hochul, who appointed Delgado as lieutenant governor in 2022 following Brian Benjamin's resignation amid corruption charges (which were later dropped), has yet to announce her own running mate. Officials say her announcement is expected soon, possibly by the end of Friday's Democratic state convention in Syracuse.
The Democratic primary represents a significant challenge for Delgado, who has publicly broken with Hochul on several occasions, including calling for President Biden to drop his reelection bid and for former New York City Mayor Eric Adams to resign.
Republicans have already begun criticizing Walton's selection. Erie County GOP Chair Michael Kracker told Politico, "Clearly Antonio Delgado recognizes that the Democratic Party in New York state is a socialist party, and he's picked a running mate to prove that point."
The New York Democratic primary is scheduled for June, with the general election to follow in November.