Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado won’t seek re-election with Hochul
New York Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado arrives to listen to Gov. Kathy Hochul present her 2025 executive state budget in the Red Room at the state Capitol Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024, in Albany, N.Y. (AP Photo / Hans Pennink)
New York Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado says he won’t run for re-election with Gov. Kathy Hochul in 2026.
Delgado was a congressman in the 19th Congressional District, when he was appointed by Governor Hochul in 2022 to replace Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin, who resigned after an arrest on federal corruption charges. Those charges were later dropped after a key witness died.
“I remain deeply committed to finishing my full term, as i was independently elected to do by the people of New York,” Delgado said on social media.
“All options are on the table, and i will be exploring them.”
Some speculate Delgado could be gearing up for a gubernatorial run against Hochul. However, no official announcements confirming that have been made.
Gov. Hochul’s communications director released this statement:
“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. Governor Hochul had already begun taking steps to identify a new running mate for 2026. We will also be reallocating responsibilities within the administration to ensure that important initiatives that had been within the Lieutenant Governor’s office are no longer neglected. Governor Hochul wishes him the best in his future endeavors.”