Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado challenges Governor Hochul for 2026 Democratic nomination, citing need for bold leadership amid voter dissatisfaction.

Delgado Makes Unprecedented Move to Unseat His Own Governor

In a rare intra-party challenge, New York Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado announced Monday that he will run against Governor Kathy Hochul for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination in 2026. The move underscores deepening rifts within the state’s Democratic leadership as voter discontent with Hochul’s administration continues to grow.

“New York, I’m not here to play the game. I’m here to change it,” Delgado declared in a social media post. In a campaign video, he added that the state needs “bold, decisive, transformational leadership.” In an interview with the New York Times, he emphasized that “people are hurting and New York deserves better leadership.”

Delgado, 48, made history in 2018 as the first person of African-American or Latino heritage elected to Congress from Upstate New York. In 2022, Hochul appointed him lieutenant governor, marking him as the first Latino to hold statewide office in New York. However, their professional relationship has since soured, culminating in Delgado’s formal entry into the race against his own running mate.

Governor Hochul, who ascended to office in 2021 following the resignation of Andrew Cuomo, announced her re-election bid in July of last year. She narrowly won her first full term in 2022, defeating her Republican challenger by just over six points. While she maintains a modest approval rating, a recent Siena College poll indicates that 55% of New Yorkers prefer an alternative candidate for 2026. Among Democrats, 51% say they would re-elect her, while 38% want someone else.

Despite these numbers, Hochul currently leads her challengers in the Democratic primary field, polling at 46%, compared to Delgado’s 12% and Representative Richie Torres’s 10%. Torres has not yet announced a formal candidacy but is reportedly considering a run.

Party Reactions Reflect Deep Divisions

The Democratic Governors Association responded swiftly to Delgado’s announcement, voicing firm support for Hochul. The organization described her as “a proven leader” who has delivered on economic, healthcare, and public safety issues and expressed full confidence in her ability to defeat Republican contenders in 2026.

Meanwhile, former Hochul challenger Representative Tom Suozzi offered Delgado a word of caution, noting on social media that such a primary bid may not be a “well-thought out idea.”

Republican lawmakers, seizing on the internal division, renewed their criticism of Hochul. Representative Elise Stefanik cited Delgado’s defection as evidence of the governor’s failing leadership. Stefanik, who is actively traveling across the state, confirmed she is weighing a gubernatorial run in 2026. Representative Mike Lawler also joined in, calling Hochul “grossly incompetent” and advocating for a Republican-led reset in Albany.

As the race for 2026 heats up, Delgado’s challenge not only highlights dissatisfaction within the Democratic base but also reshapes the early landscape of New York’s political future. With party support divided and voter sentiment shifting, the upcoming primary promises to be one of the most closely watched contests in the nation.