Feb. 25 (UPI) — New York Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado announced Monday he will not run for re-election with Gov. Kathy Hochul in 2026.
“I have made the decision to not run for re-election with the governor in 2026,” Delgado, who was elected with Hochul in 2022, said in a statement. “I remain deeply committed to finishing my full term, as I was independently elected to do, by the people of New York.”
In New York, candidates run independently for governor and lieutenant governor in the primaries. Their names appear together on the general election ballot.
In his statement announcing he would part ways with Hochul, Delgado vowed to explore other options to represent New York.
“I am determined to be your voice in state government now and in the future,” he said. “All options are on the table, and I will be exploring them.”
Delgado was Hochul’s second lieutenant governor. Her first, Brian Benjamin, resigned after seven months as he faced federal bribery charges, which were dropped.
Delgado and Hochul have sparred over a number of issues, including New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Delgado called for the mayor to resign over criminal charges before Hochul had a chance to weigh in. He also called for President Joe Biden to end his re-election bid as Hochul continued to support him.
“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,” Hochul communications director Anthony Hogrebe said in response Monday to Delgado’s announcement.
“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,” Hogrebe added.
“Gov. Hochul wishes him the best in his future endeavors.”
