Governor Kathy Hochul has removed Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado from key office spaces and reassigned much of his staff after he announced he would not run for reelection with her in 2026. The move has fueled speculation that Delgado may challenge Hochul in the Democratic primary.
Delgado lost his office near Hochul’s in the state Capitol, had his state-issued devices revoked, and saw his offices in New York City and the Hudson Valley shut down. While he remains Lieutenant Governor, his influence in the administration has been significantly reduced.
Tensions between Hochul and Delgado have been growing for months. Delgado broke with Hochul on key issues, calling for President Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 race while Hochul remained a strong supporter. He also urged New York City Mayor Eric Adams to resign, while Hochul took a more measured approach.
“For me, it’s very, very important for New Yorkers to know that I am their voice, that I want to be their voice and that is the only thing that I am beholden to, is the people,” Delgado said during an interview with CBS6 Albany.
Hochul’s office dismissed the situation, saying Delgado was not engaged in his role. “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,” said Hochul’s communications director, Anthony Hogrebe.
Delgado, a former Hudson Valley congressman, was appointed in 2022 after Brian Benjamin resigned following a federal indictment. While he has stayed out of the spotlight, his recent op-ed calling for new Democratic leadership has sparked questions about his next move.
“All options are on the table, and I will be exploring them,” Delgado said.
