Governor Kathy Hochul announced Tuesday that she has selected Representative Antonio Delgado, a Democrat from the Hudson Valley, as her new governor, the second-highest-ranking post in New York State.
Mr. Delgado is expected to be Ms. Hochul’s co-executive partner for her full term this year, replacing former Lieutenant Colonel Gov. Brian Benjaminwho was indicted on federal bribery charges last month, which led to his sudden resignation.
A group of New York Democrats empowered to formally replace Benjamin endorsed Delgado, 45, as Hochul’s running mate on Tuesday morning, assuring that he would have a be on the ballot in the party’s primary vote in June, according to three people familiar with the matter. with process.
“Winning competitive primaries and general elections for Congress, Representative Antonio Delgado is a tried and tested campaigner with experience serving New Yorkers and work ethic to get our party’s message out to voters, unite communities and elevate Democratic candidates statewide,” Hochul said in a statement.
The announcement came a day after state legislators through the law on Monday at the request of Ms. Hochul Authorizes Mr. Benjamin’s name to be removed from the state Democratic primaries and was replaced with another candidate ahead of the gubernatorial primaries, scheduled for June 28.
Mr. Delgado, who has represented New York’s 19th Congressional District since 2019, is likely to face an uphill re-election fight this fall.
Democrats tried to add voter-friendly voters to his district when they passed a new congressional map earlier this year, but the state’s top court rejected the newly approved county lines. drawing last week. Any replacement is likely to make the chair much more competitive.
