Lt. Gov Delgado Exits Hochul Ticket, Fuels Speculation of a Possible Run for Gov

By: Jared Evan

New York Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado announced Monday that he will not seek re-election alongside Gov. Kathy Hochul, fueling speculation that he is preparing for a 2026 gubernatorial run.

According to reporting from the New York Post, Delgado’s statement claimed he is “determined to be your voice in state government now and in the future.” — words which sound like future political ambitions

Sources told the Post that Delgado made the decision himself, though others in Hochul’s camp suggest she had already decided to drop him from her ticket. Regardless, the fact remains: Delgado’s move comes after months of public spats with Hochul, and more notably, his relentless attacks on Mayor Eric Adams.

Delgado has made a name for himself as a progressive mouthpiece who offers little more than empty platitudes. His latest stunt? Calling for Mayor Adams to resign, accusing him of being “beholden to President Trump.”

“Unlike Delgado, who hides behind vague rhetoric about accountability to the people, Adams has actually taken action. He has been willing to work with Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, to address New York’s migrant crisis—something the Democratic establishment refuses to tackle head-on. While Delgado panders to the anti-Trump wing of the party, Adams has made tough decisions to reduce the number of illegal migrants overwhelming the city’s resources, got to give him credit”, a Bronx GOP activist told TJV News.

Only two weeks before this announcement was made public, politico reported that Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado would not commit to endorsing his own boss, Gov. Kathy Hochul, for reelection,

“My focus right now isn’t on the election,” Delgado told Playbook when asked if he would support Hochul’s reelection in 2026. “My focus is on governing right now. That’s the focus.”

Last July, City and State New York speculated Delgado as one with political ambitions to challenge Hochul in 2026, along aide other potentials like anti-woke, pro-Israel Democrat Rep. Ritchie Torres and Attorney General Letitia James.

Former NY Rep. Lee Zeldin, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman and NY Rep. Mike Lawler all are GOP potential candidates

The chaos in New York is just a microcosm of the Democratic Party nationwide—fractured, leaderless, and consumed by internal battles.

Delgado previously made headlines by calling for President Biden to step aside early last summer, another sign of a party at war with itself. Now, he’s setting his sights on Adams and Hochul, positioning himself as the next progressive savior, despite offering no real policy solutions.

Even Hochul’s camp isn’t hiding their disdain, with her communications director bluntly stating that Delgado was never really interested in doing his job. That’s the state of the Democratic Party today—endless infighting, no accountability, and politicians more focused on their next promotion than on governing.

Mayor Adams is one of the few Democrats willing to break ranks with his party’s failed policies and Delgado is one of the many of NYC Dems who have turned their backs on the Mayor, as the party continues to falter, shed voters and lack any clear message,