The longstanding tensions between New York Governor Kathy Hochul and her appointed lieutenant governor, Antonio Delgado, have come to a head in recent days, marking a dramatic public split between the two Democrats. Delgado, who was handpicked by Hochul in 2022 to replace Brian Benjamin after his resignation, announced on Monday that he would not seek re-election as lieutenant governor in 2026. While Delgado did not elaborate on his reasons for stepping away, his decision comes after months of public discord and growing signs that their political relationship had soured.
In a statement posted on X, Delgado emphasized his commitment to finishing his current term but left little doubt that his tenure as Hochul’s running mate was coming to an end. He expressed his belief that New Yorkers deserved “more leaders in government willing to hold themselves accountable to the people,” a vague but pointed critique of the current political climate.
The move caught many by surprise but not those who had been closely following the increasingly strained relationship between the two state officials. Hours after Delgado’s announcement, Hochul’s office fired back, with communications director Anthony Hogrebe issuing a statement that struck a tone of finality. Hogrebe’s remarks suggested that Hochul had long been prepared for Delgado’s departure, noting that steps were already being taken to identify a new running mate for 2026.
“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,” Hogrebe’s statement read. It went on to emphasize that Delgado’s responsibilities would be reassigned, indicating that the governor’s office was looking to move forward in a way that would not “neglect” the role of lieutenant governor.
The public split between Hochul and Delgado is seen by many as the culmination of mounting political tensions that began as early as 2022 and became more pronounced ahead of the 2024 presidential election. Delgado’s decision to speak out against President Joe Biden’s re-election bid while Hochul was becoming a prominent Biden surrogate seemed to foreshadow their deteriorating relationship. Delgado’s public and political moves, such as appearing to help Democratic congressional candidates while the governor focused on her own campaign and down-ballot races, highlighted the deepening divide.
Their differences only escalated after the election when Delgado wrote an op-ed for The New York Times calling for his party to move in a new direction. He ended the piece with a powerful statement: “A new path is both necessary and possible, but we will not chart it with the same politicians telling the same old stories. We are ready for the next generation.” This apparent distancing from the establishment left many speculating that Delgado was positioning himself for a future political run, potentially challenging Hochul.
Another significant moment of disagreement between the two came earlier this year when Delgado called for New York City Mayor Eric Adams to resign amid the growing scandal surrounding the mayor’s office. Hochul, meanwhile, took a more measured approach and refrained from making public comments on the matter. Delgado’s public stance on Adams led to an immediate rebuke from Hochul’s office, with Hogrebe quickly releasing a statement asserting that Delgado did not, and had never, spoken on behalf of the governor’s administration.
For Hochul, the split underscores her already delicate political situation as she heads into what’s expected to be a challenging re-election bid next year. With serious challengers waiting in the wings, the fracturing relationship with her lieutenant governor further complicates her efforts to maintain party unity and secure support for another term in office.
In his announcement, Delgado suggested that “all options are on the table” for his future political endeavors. While he made no definitive statements regarding a potential challenge to Hochul, his comments raised speculation that he could seek higher office, potentially positioning himself for a gubernatorial run in the coming years.
Delgado’s Limited Public Role and Hochul’s Rise
Before being appointed lieutenant governor, Delgado served one term in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing a district in the Hudson Valley and Catskills. His transition to the largely ceremonial role of lieutenant governor has been marked by a more limited public profile compared to his predecessor, Hochul. While the lieutenant governor is expected to take a backseat to the governor, Delgado’s relatively quiet tenure has raised questions about his commitment to the role and whether it aligns with his personal and political ambitions.
Governor Hochul ascended to the role of New York’s top executive in 2021 following the resignation of Governor Andrew Cuomo, who stepped down amid allegations of sexual harassment. Hochul’s first lieutenant governor, Brian Benjamin, also resigned in 2022 after facing federal corruption charges. Though the charges against Benjamin were dropped earlier this year after the key witness passed away, the scandals surrounding both of Hochul’s running mates have contributed to the fragile nature of her administration.
As Hochul approaches her 2026 re-election campaign, she faces a growing challenge to her leadership from within her own party. While Delgado’s announcement that he would not seek re-election is seen by some as an opportunity for the governor to pick a more loyal and supportive running mate, it also raises questions about the broader unity of the Democratic Party in New York.
Looking Ahead: A Tough Fight for Hochul
The fallout between Hochul and Delgado is just one piece of a larger political puzzle for the governor as she prepares for her re-election campaign. The state’s political landscape is in flux, with potential challengers eyeing the governor’s seat, and now with Delgado no longer by her side, Hochul will need to navigate a potential primary challenge and unite the party behind her.
The feud has also sparked broader discussions about leadership in New York, the role of the lieutenant governor, and the state’s future direction. With Delgado’s departure now official, the question remains: Who will step into the lieutenant governor’s role in 2026, and how will the dynamics between the two offices change moving forward?
For now, the split between Hochul and Delgado underscores the complexities of modern-day politics, where even within the same party, power struggles and disagreements can have profound implications for both elected officials and the voters they serve.
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