Governor Hochul Picks Former NYC Council Speaker as Running Mate
On February 4, Governor Kathy Hochul announced former New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams as her running mate in the 2026 gubernatorial race. The surprising pick creates New York’s first all-female major party statewide ticket. Also, if elected, Adams would become the first Black woman to serve as Lieutenant Governor in state history.
In her announcement, Hochul emphasized Adams’ working-class roots and leadership experience, invoking her Queens upbringing in a union household and her record as City Council Speaker from 2022 to 2025. The Governor praised Adams as “a fighter” who will help New York stand up to national Republican figures and advance priorities like public safety, affordable housing, and cost-of-living relief.
Republican Bruce Blakeman Taps Sheriff as Running Mate
Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman endured a turbulent few days leading up the New York State Republican Nominating Convention as his search for a running mate took an unexpected turn. Blakeman initially selected Fulton County Sheriff Richard Giardino, a move aimed at reinforcing his law-and-order message and appealing to voters concerned about crime and public safety. However, that plan quickly unraveled when Giardino declined the offer, saying he could not balance the demands of a statewide campaign with his responsibilities as sheriff.
With party rules requiring a full ticket in place ahead of the convention, Blakeman moved swiftly to fill the vacancy, turning to Madison County Sheriff Todd Hood as his new choice for Lieutenant Governor. Hood, a veteran law enforcement official, was formally introduced at a rally, where he said he shared Blakeman’s priorities on public safety, affordability, and restoring trust in government.
Antonio Delgago Ends Campaign
On February 10, Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado announced he was ending his campaign for the Democratic nomination for Governor, acknowledging that there was “no viable path forward.” His decision came just days after Governor Kathy Hochul secured the Democratic Party’s official nomination, a development that would have forced Delgado to undertake a costly and logistically challenging petition process to qualify for the June primary ballot.
Delgado had struggled for months to gain traction against the incumbent Governor. His campaign failed to attract significant backing from Democratic officials, and public polling consistently showed him trailing Hochul by over 50 points among registered Democratic voters. Despite raising concerns during the race about the direction of state leadership, Delgado was unable to translate those critiques into sustained momentum.
With Delgado’s exit, Hochul is effectively assured a clear path through the primary and into the general election. The move allows Democratic leaders to consolidate behind the Governor and shift their focus toward the fall campaign.