Key Points
- Delgado challenges Hochul in Democratic primary
- Former colleagues criticize timing and strategy
- Hochul backed by party establishment and major fundraisers
- Relationship between Hochul and Delgado long strained
- Delgado’s campaign emphasizes new leadership and vision
- Republicans see opportunity amid Democratic division
- Hochul leads in early hypothetical primary polls
- Delgado faces fundraising and visibility disadvantages
- Party unity questioned as internal rifts deepen
- Delgado refuses to resign despite calls from Democrats
New York Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado’s announcement that he will challenge Governor Kathy Hochul in next year’s Democratic primary has landed with a thud among several of his former colleagues on Capitol Hill and within the broader Democratic establishment. The decision, seen by many as ill-timed and poorly conceived, has triggered a wave of internal criticism and doubts about Delgado’s political future, even as he insists his campaign is about offering a new direction for New York.
The Announcement and Immediate Fallout
Delgado made his campaign official in a social media video on Monday, declaring, “I’m not here to play the game. I’m here to change it.” His entry into the race follows months of speculation and mounting tension between him and Hochul, who appointed him as lieutenant governor in 2022 after her previous deputy resigned amid legal troubles. Despite their initial public cordiality, the relationship between Hochul and Delgado has steadily deteriorated over policy disagreements and political differences, culminating in Delgado’s decision to challenge his boss directly.
The announcement has been met with skepticism from many Democratic insiders. Representative Suozzi (D-N.Y.), who previously ran against Hochul for the Democratic nomination, expressed his concerns on social media platform X, stating, “Antonio, you’re a great guy with a bright future, but based on experience this may not be the most well-thought-out idea!” Other former colleagues and party leaders have privately questioned Delgado’s judgment, with some suggesting that his campaign could further divide the party ahead of a potentially tough general election.
Party Establishment Rallies Behind Hochul
Almost immediately, Democratic leaders and organizations began closing ranks around Hochul. The Democratic Governors Association issued a strong statement of support, emphasizing that Hochul has consistently proven her critics wrong and is well-positioned to lead the party against Republican challenges in 2026. Representative Pat Ryan (D-N.Y.), who succeeded Delgado in his former House seat, also voiced his support for Hochul on X, praising her work in the Hudson Valley and calling her “hard-working, a person of integrity, and a fighter”.
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.
She’s hard-working. She’s a person of integrity. And she’s a fighter.
I’m all in with @KathyHochul.
— Pat Ryan 🇺🇸 (@PatRyanUC) June 2, 2025
The party’s establishment is wary of contested primaries, especially given recent Republican gains in New York. Hochul’s narrower-than-expected victory in 2022—winning by just six points—has left many Democrats concerned about the risks of internal division. The GOP, meanwhile, is eager to capitalize on any disarray, with Representatives Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) and Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) both contemplating bids and openly criticizing Hochul’s record.
Strains and Public Rifts
The rift between Hochul and Delgado has been public for months. Delgado signaled his dissatisfaction with Hochul’s leadership as early as last year, when he broke with her to call on President Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race after a disappointing debate performance. Hochul, by contrast, remained one of Biden’s most vocal supporters until he exited the race.
Another flashpoint came when Delgado publicly urged New York City Mayor Eric Adams to resign amid corruption allegations, while Hochul took a more measured approach, stating that she was assessing the claims and ultimately leaving the decision to voters. Hochul’s office made it clear that Delgado was not speaking for the administration, a move that further marginalized him within the governor’s inner circle.
The breakdown in communication between Hochul and Delgado has been so severe that they have not spoken for months, according to both sides. Delgado revealed that he stopped communicating with Hochul long before announcing his campaign, and a source from the governor’s office confirmed that the silence has been mutual. This estrangement has extended to official duties: when Hochul was out of state recently, her office appeared to ignore the constitutional provision that would have made Delgado acting governor, a clear sign of the depth of the rift.
Delgado’s Campaign Strategy and Challenges
Delgado is positioning himself as a candidate of change, arguing that New York needs “decisive, transformational leadership” and criticizing Hochul for a lack of vision and responsiveness to the needs of everyday New Yorkers. His campaign is focusing on issues such as affordability, health care, and support for the middle class, with Delgado advocating for increased tax relief, enhanced support for first-time homebuyers, and stronger protections for the state’s health care system in light of potential Medicaid cuts.
Despite these policy proposals, Delgado faces significant hurdles. He is not well-known statewide, and his low profile during his tenure as lieutenant governor has limited his ability to differentiate himself from Hochul’s record. Democratic strategist Karen Defilippi noted that Delgado must “do something to change the conversation” to succeed, but added that it will be difficult for him to critique Hochul without those criticisms reflecting back on his own record in her administration.
Financially, Delgado is at a major disadvantage. Hochul is a formidable fundraiser, having raised $60 million for her 2022 campaign and maintaining a strong financial position for 2026, with $15 million in cash on hand. Delgado, by contrast, has not demonstrated a comparable ability to raise funds, and his campaign is unlikely to match Hochul’s resources.
Calls for Delgado to Resign
Some Democratic officials have called on Delgado to resign as lieutenant governor now that he is challenging Hochul. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards told The New York Post, “He should not be on the payroll of the leader he opposes,” adding that Hochul has been “excellent for Queens” and has delivered on everything the borough has requested. Other voices in the party, such as Bronx Democratic Committee Chair Rodney Bichotte Hermelyn, have urged Delgado to ease tensions and avoid further conflict, though they have stopped short of demanding his resignation.
Delgado’s spokesperson has dismissed these calls, stating that Delgado is running to advocate for everyday New Yorkers, not to gain favor with party insiders. Delgado himself has shown no intention of stepping down, even as his campaign makes it clear that he is running against the establishment.
Polling and Political Landscape
Recent polling suggests that Hochul remains the favorite in the Democratic primary, despite her middling approval ratings. A Siena College poll found that only half of respondents approve of her performance, with 46 percent disapproving. A majority of voters expressed a desire for alternative gubernatorial candidates, but in early hypothetical matchups, Hochul leads both Delgado and Representative Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.), who is also considering a run.
Republicans, meanwhile, see an opportunity in the Democratic division. Elise Stefanik, a potential GOP challenger, remarked that Delgado’s challenge shows Hochul has “lost support not just from Republicans and Independents, but also from Democrat New Yorkers”. The GOP is optimistic about its chances in 2026, given Hochul’s narrow 2022 victory and recent Republican gains in the state.
The Broader Context
Contested primaries are not unusual in New York Democratic gubernatorial races; since 2006, nearly every cycle has featured a competitive primary. However, Delgado’s challenge is notable because of his position as Hochul’s lieutenant governor and the depth of the personal and political rift between the two.
Political observers note that Delgado’s campaign may struggle to gain traction unless he can dramatically change the narrative. His ideological differences with Hochul are minimal, and his record as part of her administration makes it difficult for him to position himself as a true outsider. His campaign’s success will depend on his ability to connect with voters dissatisfied with Hochul’s leadership and to articulate a compelling vision for the state’s future.
Antonio Delgado’s decision to challenge Kathy Hochul in the Democratic primary has been met with skepticism and criticism from many of his former colleagues and party leaders. The move comes at a time of heightened political tension and uncertainty for New York Democrats, who are eager to avoid internal divisions ahead of a tough general election. Hochul remains the establishment favorite, with strong fundraising and organizational advantages, while Delgado faces an uphill battle to distinguish himself and overcome his lack of statewide visibility and resources. The coming months will test whether Delgado can change the conversation and convince New Yorkers that he is the right leader for the state’s future.