New York Gov. Kathy Hochul facing Democratic primary from her own lieutenant governor

As she runs for re-election successful 2026, Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul of New York volition present look a superior situation from her ain lieutenant governor.

New York Lt. Gov. Anthonio Delgado connected Monday announced his bid to effort and oust his brag arsenic the Democrats' nominee successful adjacent year's election, successful a precise uncommon determination by a lieutenant politician to superior situation a sitting incumbent.

"New York, I’m not present to play the game. I’m present to alteration it. I’m moving to beryllium your adjacent Governor," Delgado said successful a societal media post.

In an accompanying video, the 48-year-old Delgado took a jab astatine his boss, saying "what we request close present successful New York is bold, decisive, transformational leadership."

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And successful an interrogation with the New York Times, the lieutenant politician said that "people are hurting and New York deserves amended leadership."

Delgado, who is Black, successful 2018 became the archetypal idiosyncratic of African-American oregon Latino descent to beryllium elected to Congress from Upstate New York. 

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Four years aboriginal Hochul appointed Delgado to capable the then-vacant lieutenant governor's office, making him the archetypal Latino to clasp statewide bureau successful New York.

But successful caller years, their moving narration deteriorated and aft months of governmental friction with Hochul and mulling a bid for governor, Delgado made it official.

FILE - New York Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado, connected Monday announced that helium would motorboat a 2026 Democratic superior situation against incumbent Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images) (Paul Morigi/Getty Images)

Hochul was the state’s lieutenant politician when, successful August 2021, she was sworn successful arsenic New York’s archetypal pistillate governor, aft three-term Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo resigned successful disgrace amid aggregate scandals.

She defeated then-Rep. Lee Zeldin by conscionable implicit six points successful 2022 to triumph a afloat four-year word steering New York. Zeldin's showing was the champion by a Republican gubernatorial nominee successful blue-state New York since then-GOP Gov. George Pataki won re-election to a 3rd word successful 2002.

In July of past year, Hochul announced her volition to tally for re-election successful 2026.

While the governor's support ratings successful a caller Siena College canvass were holding somewhat successful affirmative territory, the survey indicated a bulk of New Yorkers would inactive similar idiosyncratic other to triumph the 2026 predetermination for politician successful the Empire State.

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According to the poll, which was conducted May 12-15, 36% of registered voters successful New York authorities said they would ballot to re-elect Hochul to a 2nd four-year term, with a bulk (55%) saying they wanted idiosyncratic else. 

It is simply a 10-point antagonistic question for Hochul compared to Siena's April survey, erstwhile 39% of those questioned said they were prepared to ballot to re-elect the politician and 48% wanted idiosyncratic else.

Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul of New York, seen astatine a property league successful New York City connected March 3, 2025, is seeking re-election adjacent twelvemonth for a 2nd four-year term. (REUTERS/David Dee Delgado) (REUTERS/David Dee Delgado)

Fifty-one percent of Democrats surveyed successful the caller canvass said astatine this aboriginal constituent successful the 2026 predetermination rhythm they are prepared to re-elect Hochul, with 38% of Democrats saying they privation "someone else."

But the canvass indicated Hochul holding a wide pb implicit Delgado and Rep. Richie Torres, who is besides mulling a Democratic gubernatorial campaign. Hochul stood astatine 46% successful the canvass successful the Democratic information race, with Delgado astatine 12% and Torres astatine 10%.

The Democratic Governors Association (DGA) praised Hochul successful a connection pursuing Delgado's announcement.

"Governor Kathy Hochul is simply a proven person with a beardown grounds of delivering for New Yorkers: putting wealth backmost successful their pockets, protecting reproductive rights, and keeping communities safe. The Governor knows however to instrumentality connected large fights and triumph for New York families — and her docket is overwhelmingly fashionable with New Yorkers connected some sides of the aisle. The Democratic Governors Association is 100 percent down Governor Hochul arsenic she continues to present for New York, instrumentality connected Donald Trump, and physique the cognition it volition instrumentality to bushed Republicans up and down the ballot successful 2026," DGA enforcement manager Meghan Meehan-Draper said.

Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi of New York, who unsuccessfully superior challenged Hochul successful 2022, took to societal media to caution Delgado.

"Antonio, you are a talented guy, with a large future. Based upon my acquisition this whitethorn not beryllium the astir well-thought retired idea!" Suozzi said.

Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., seen connected Capitol Hill connected Nov. 13, 2024 successful Washington, D.C., is earnestly considering a 2026 tally for New York governor. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, who is earnestly considering a 2026 tally for governor, utilized Monday's quality of Delgado's superior situation to reiterate her disapproval of Hochul.

"There is simply a crushed I dubbed Kathy Hochul the worst Governor successful America. It's due to the fact that it's true," Stefanik claimed successful a statement.

And the six-term congresswoman from Upstate New York, whom the Siena canvass indicated was the front-runner successful a hypothetical GOP primary, added that Hochul's "own Lieutenant Governor that she manus picked is present primarying her which shows she has mislaid enactment not conscionable from Republicans and Independents, but Democrat New Yorkers arsenic well."

Republican Rep. Mike Lawler of New York State, seen interviewed by Fox News Digital connected April 7, 2025, successful Washington D.C., is mulling a 2026 bid for New York governor. (Fox News - Paul Steinhauser)

GOP Rep. Mike Lawler of New York, who is besides earnestly considering a tally for governor, took to societal media to besides blast Hochul "as the worst Governor successful America — failed, feckless, and grossly incompetent."

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"She indispensable beryllium defeated successful 2026 and replaced with a Republican Governor who tin reconstruct equilibrium and communal consciousness to Albany," helium argued.