Their relationship has soured over the past year after an initial partnership that was more political than practical.

Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado announced that he would not be part of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s reelection ticket in 2026, while hinting at a possible gubernatorial run himself.

New York Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado says he will not run for re-election in 2026 — and he is not ruling out a challenge against his current boss.

A simmering feud between New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and her handpicked lieutenant governor, Antonio Delgado, has boiled over after months of discord between the two Democrats culminated in what looked like a big breakup.

Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado (D-NY) announced he would not seek reelection in 2026 after publicly breaking from his 2022 running mate, Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY), on several issues. Delgado was appointed to the position in 2022 and won a full term alongside Hochul in November of that year,

Delgado’s announcement on social media follows a public rift that began in July when he went against Hochul by calling on Joe Biden to drop out of the presidential race. Delgado took a similar step last week by calling on Mayor Eric Adams to resign — breaking from his boss, who had not pressured the mayor to step down.