New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is facing a primary challenge from a somewhat unexpected source: one-time ally and current deputy Antonio Delgado.

Delgado, New York’s lieutenant governor, announced on Monday that he intends to challenge Hochul in the upcoming 2026 Democratic primary and stressed the need for “bold, decisive, transformational leadership” in a campaign video .

New York, I’m not here to play the game. I’m here to change it.

I’m running to be your next Governor. pic.twitter.com/09WnqPEX48 — Antonio Delgado (@DelgadoforNY) June 2, 2025

Delgado’s move underscores a sharp break with Hochul, who appointed him to his current role in May 2022 . The two moderates ran on the same ticket in the 2022 election, but they have had a series of public rifts in the years since.

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