**Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado to Challenge Governor Kathy Hochul in Democratic Primary**

New York - Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado, long rumored to have gubernatorial ambitions, is set to officially announce his bid to unseat New York Governor Kathy Hochul. The announcement, planned for Tuesday, comes after Delgado previewed his campaign in a video released on Monday, highlighting his vision for universal health care and universal pre-K. Delgado also pledged to fight back against policies from the Trump administration, emphasizing his commitment to advocating for everyday New Yorkers. "The powerful and well connected have their champions," Delgado stated. "I'm running for governor to be yours."

Governor Hochul's campaign team has yet to comment on Delgado's entry into the race. Meanwhile, the Democratic Governors Association (DGA) expressed its full support for Hochul. Meghan Meehan-Draper, the DGA executive director, underscored Hochul's accomplishments and stated, "The Democratic Governors Association is 100 percent behind Governor Hochul as she continues to deliver for New York, take on Donald Trump, and build the operation it will take to beat Republicans up and down the ballot in 2026."

Delgado has been actively engaging with Black elected officials across New York, including leaders in Harlem and Brooklyn, to build support. He has painted Governor Hochul as a weak contender who could potentially harm down-ballot Democrats. This campaign comes after Delgado's refusal four months ago to endorse Hochul's reelection, a decision that was foreshadowed by his earlier calls for President Joe Biden and former New York City Mayor Eric Adams to step down.

As a more moderate politician and former House member with a unique background that includes a brief rap career, Delgado holds a largely ceremonial role as Hochul's deputy. Nevertheless, he has been effectively using his time to tour the state, holding town halls, and visiting churches. In a recent speech at a predominantly Black church in Brooklyn, Delgado signaled his readiness for change and asked the congregation for their prayers, garnering light applause.

Challenging a sitting governor is notoriously difficult, especially when that governor is entrenched with substantial financial backing. Governor Hochul ascended to office in 2021 following Andrew Cuomo's resignation and swiftly solidified her political base. Despite middling poll numbers, she has proven to be a formidable fundraiser, reporting $15.5 million in her campaign account as of January. Delgado, by contrast, had $968,751 in cash on hand according to his January filing.

Hochul has demonstrated electoral strength, having secured more than 67 percent of the vote in the 2022 Democratic primary, decisively defeating challengers Jumaane Williams and Tom Suozzi. In contrast, Delgado remains largely unknown, with a May Siena College poll indicating that 58 percent of voters either had no opinion of him or did not know him at all.

Historically, lieutenant governors in New York have struggled to break free from the constraints of their roles. Delgado's campaign faces significant hurdles, not least of which include Hochul's superior name recognition and robust fundraising. According to Siena College polling from May, a significant 46 percent of Democrats favored Hochul in a primary, with Delgado garnering just 12 percent and another potential challenger, Rep. Ritchie Torres, receiving 10 percent.

On the Republican front, possible gubernatorial candidates include Reps. Elise Stefanik and Mike Lawler, as well as Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman.