New York Democrats are closing ranks around Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) in the wake of Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado’s (D) decision to launch a primary challenge against her.
Delgado and Hochul’s relationship has been on the rocks for a while, and many in the party expected the lieutenant governor to jump into the race.
Still, his move was seen as an unusual one and has drawn pushback from some Democrats as they face a potentially competitive general election campaign in a state where Republicans have gained ground in recent elections.
“Antonio, you are a talented guy, with a great future. Based upon my experience this may not be the most well-thought out idea!” Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.), who unsuccessfully challenged Hochul for the Democratic nomination in 2022, said in a post on the social platform X.
Delgado served in the House for three years before Hochul selected him to become lieutenant governor in 2022, making him the first person of Latino heritage to serve in statewide office in New York. Hochul chose him after his predecessor, Benjamin Brian, resigned amid charges of corruption, which were eventually dropped.
Hochul and Delgado initially had kind words for each other and were each elected to a full term in Albany in 2022. But throughout the term, they’ve split on several issues and seemed to grow more distant from each other.
Delgado called on former President Biden to drop out of the 2024 presidential race in July following his debate performance against President Trump, while Hochul stood by Biden until he chose to end his campaign.
When Delgado called on New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) to resign amid the corruption allegations against him, Hochul’s office said she was reviewing the allegations against Adams and that Delgado “does not now and has not ever spoken on behalf of this administration.” Hochul ultimately decided against using her office’s power to remove Adams from office, arguing voters should have the right to decide.
And when Delgado announced in February he wouldn’t seek reelection as lieutenant governor but would consider “all options,” Hochul’s spokesperson said she had already begun searching for a new running mate for next year.
Delgado is now eyeing the top job in the state and may be encouraged by some indicators of discontent among voters with Hochul.
Hochul’s favorability rating has been underwater for months, despite a brief jump in April, while her most recent approval rating in a Siena College poll was just net positive, with half approving of her job performance and 46 percent disapproving. Meanwhile, most voters said they want another choice for governor next year.
Republicans have been on the prowl to take Hochul on, with Reps. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) and Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) considering bids and hammering Hochul over her record. The GOP has expressed optimism about pulling off an upset given Hochul’s closer-than-expected victory in 2022, by only 6 points, and the inroads that the party made in the state in last year’s presidential election.
But Democrats said Delgado likely faces a significant uphill battle against Hochul.
While the polling hasn’t shown her in the strongest position, she’s still been well ahead in early hypothetical primary polls against Delgado and Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.), who has also been considering a bid.
Hochul would also start out with a massive fundraising advantage, having set a reputation as a formidable fundraiser since her last campaign in 2022, when she raised $60 million. She’s continued to put up significant numbers, raising $10 million for her campaign and the state party and holding $15 million in cash on hand.
Democrats also raised questions about what Delgado’s path to victory could be.
For Delgado to be successful, he’ll need to do “something to change the conversation,” Democratic strategist Karen Defilippi said.
She said Delgado will have a tough task being able to criticize Hochul without those critiques reflecting back on himself, as he served in her administration. She also noted Delgado, ideologically, isn’t significantly different from Hochul.
“Kathy having this favorability rating struggle, it’s not going to win you statewide in New York,” Defilippi said.
The initial reaction from Democratic Party leaders who have commented on Delgado’s challenge has been standing by Hochul.
The Democratic Governors Association, which works to elect Democratic governors across the country and protect incumbents, argued in a statement that Hochul has been continually underestimated and proven doubters wrong.
“The Democratic Governors Association is 100 percent behind Governor Hochul as she continues to deliver for New York, take on Donald Trump, and build the operation it will take to beat Republicans up and down the ballot in 2026,” Executive Director Meghan Meehan-Draper said in a statement.
Delgado’s successor in his old House seat, Rep. Pat Ryan (D-N.Y.), also declared his support for Hochul quickly.
“Governor Hochul has delivered over and over for the Hudson Valley – bringing down housing costs, bolstering public safety, cleaning up our drinking water, and more,” Ryan wrote in a post on X. “She’s hard-working. She’s a person of integrity. And she’s a fighter. I’m all in with @KathyHochul.”
Delgado told The New York Times in an interview that the polling and doubters aren’t deterring him either. He argued he hasn’t seen a “clear vision” or “decisive leadership” from Hochul.
“People are hurting, and New York deserves better leadership,” he said. “There’s an absence of bold, decisive, transformational leadership.”
On his campaign website, Delgado criticizes Hochul for not going far enough to support New Yorkers struggling with affordability and health care issues. He argued for more tax relief for the middle class, more support for first-time homebuyers and more protections for the state’s health care system in the face of possible Medicaid cuts.
One New York Democrat noted contested primaries have been common in Democratic primaries for the governor’s race since 2006, making the challenge not unprecedented. But they said Delgado has been relatively low-profile throughout his tenure.
“It’s not like Mike Pence challenging Donald Trump for a second term, where it’s a household figure,” they said.
Democrats also said they weren’t too concerned about the challenge disrupting Hochul’s ability to focus on what may be a competitive general election, saying she’ll be more ready for it this time than she was in 2022, and she’ll have a more favorable political environment.
“I think she can walk and chew gum at the same time,” Defilippi said.