Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado has officially announced his candidacy for Governor of New York in 2026, setting up a high-profile Democratic primary against Governor Kathy Hochul—the very leader who appointed him to the state’s number-two post.
Delgado had fueled speculation for months, especially after revealing in February that he would not seek reelection alongside Hochul. At the time, he stopped short of confirming a gubernatorial bid. He made the official announcement with a video on Monday:
The announcement has heightened tensions within the executive chamber. Governor Hochul’s office responded sharply, suggesting Delgado had lost interest in his current role well before making his campaign official.
Delgado’s entry into the race signals a significant political showdown within the state’s Democratic Party as the 2026 election season begins to take shape.
