Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado Ended His New York Gubernatorial Campaign After Gov. Hochul Secured The Democratic Nod And An Avalanche of Endorsements. He Cited No Viable Path Forward.
Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado announced in a statement posted on X on Tuesday that he’s ending his campaign for governor.
“I’ve decided to end my campaign for Governor of New York. After much consideration, I’ve concluded that there simply is no viable path forward. And though my campaign has come to an end, I fully intend to do all I can in our effort to build a more humane, affordable, and equitable state that serves all New Yorkers. I will also support Democrats in our effort to hold the line against Trump and take back our democracy. I do not make this decision lightly, particularly given that so many have poured their belief into our campaign and are desperate to be given a voice. To those who have supported this effort, especially my incredible campaign team and volunteers, I can’t begin to express my gratitude for each and every one of you. And a special thanks to India Walton, who joined this campaign because she shares this vision and I know will also continue working toward it. To everyone else who believed in us: Please never forget that your voice matters, and its power extends well beyond any one campaign or any one politician. You must always hold people in office accountable, because at the end of the day, they work for you. We, and I, work for you. Ultimately, this decision for me comes down to my belief that to walk with purpose, is to walk with love. That belief has animated this campaign. That is why Lacey and I entered politics nearly a decade ago. That is the lesson we try to impart on our young boys. And that is the same spirit I will carry with me as I continue to serve the people of New York as Lieutenant Governor,” Delgado announced.
The decision occurred just a week after Lt. Governor Delgado revealed his running mate, India Walton, a former Buffalo mayoral candidate and Democratic Socialist. Until only a few days ago, Delgado had stated that he planned to petition his way onto the ballot after failing to receive enough votes at the state Democratic nominating convention last Friday.
NYWFP issued a statement on Wednesday following Delgado’s decision to drop out of the race. He was challenging Hochul in the Democratic Primary as she seeks reelection to a second full term.
“Yesterday’s news that Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado is ending his campaign for Governor marked an important moment in New York politics — and underscores the impact of a real debate about affordability, democracy, and leadership in our state,” Jasmine Gripper & Ana María Archila, Co-Directors of the New York Working Families Party, shared with Black Westchester. “Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado did what he set out to do: he offered New Yorkers an alternative vision and added his voice to the chorus of more than a million New Yorkers who voted to demand bold solutions to the rising cost of living. We are grateful for his leadership and proud of the Working Families Party affiliates who supported his campaign early and helped create a moment of genuine deliberation inside our Party and across New York.”
Hochul and Delgado had been battling for some months before Delgado announced his campaign in June. He believed New York needed more progressive, revolutionary leadership. Delgado remained Hochul’s lieutenant governor despite making barbs at her during his candidacy. He announced Tuesday that he will continue to serve as lieutenant governor and support Democrats.
Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins said Delgado’s decision to suspend his campaign was a “good idea.”
“Clearly, the convention over the last week was very definitive in terms of the people who support the governor,” Stewart-Cousins told reporters in Albany minutes after Delgado dropped out. The leader noted NYC Mayor Mamdani’s and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s endorsements of Hochul, and Delgado’s lack of party support.
“It was just very clear that there was nothing that defined him, particularly, in a way that would make him catch on, apparently,” Stewart-Cousins said. “It’s better that we are united because we know that when you’re trying to defeat a Trump administration and folks who would deprive us of health care and environmental protections and food – I could go on and on.”
Delgado faced a nearly insurmountable polling deficit, with the latest Siena University poll showing Democrats statewide supported Hochul over Delgado by more than 50 points, 64%-11%.
Delgado’s decision to drop out of the race gives Hochul a clear path in the Democratic primary. Last week, she named Adrienne Adams, the former speaker of the New York City Council, as her replacement lieutenant governor pick for the upcoming election.
On the Republican side, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman is expected to be the GOP nominee for governor in November. Blakeman chose Madison County Sheriff Todd Hood as his running mate for Lieutenant Governor.
