New York Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado announced on February 24 that he will not run for reelection alongside current Governor Kathy Hochul, sparking speculation that he may plan to run for governor in 2026.
In a statement published in X, Delgado said, “I am determined to be the voice of the people of New York in state government, whether now or in the future.” This statement suggests that he has bigger plans for his future political career.
Sources familiar with the matter told the New York Post that this decision was led by Delgado himself, and that he has been in contact with potential political donors recently, testing the waters for a possible gubernatorial run.
In response to Delgado’s announcement, Hochul’s office quickly issued a statement. Governor’s office spokesperson Anthony Hogrebe stated that Delgado has finally admitted the obvious fact: he has no interest in serving as New York’s Lieutenant Governor.
Hogrebe also confirmed that Hochul is already looking for a new running mate for the 2026 election, and emphasized that the state government will redistribute the responsibilities of the Lieutenant Governor to ensure that important governance projects are not overlooked. He added, “Governor Hochul wishes Delgado all the best in the future.”