By Trendsetter Tribune 
New York’s political landscape shifted dramatically on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, as Governor Kathy Hochul formally announced former New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams as her new reelection running mate. The move effectively “divorces” Hochul from her sitting Lieutenant Governor, Antonio Delgado, who is currently waging an aggressive primary campaign to unseat her.
The announcement marks the first time in New York history that a major party ticket for the state’s top executive offices will be led by two women.
A Clash of Strategic Tickets
The selection of Adrienne Adams—the first Black woman to serve as NYC Council Speaker—is seen as a strategic play to solidify Hochul’s support in Southeast Queens and among downstate Black voters.
Just hours before Hochul’s announcement, Delgado unveiled his own running mate: India Walton, the Democratic Socialist and nurse who gained national fame for her 2021 primary upset in the Buffalo mayoral race.
| Candidate | Running Mate | Base of Support | Ideology |
| Kathy Hochul (Incumbent) | Adrienne Adams | Buffalo / Downstate Labor | Moderate Democrat |
| Antonio Delgado | India Walton | Hudson Valley / Progressive Buffalo | Progressive / DSA-aligned |
The “State of the People” vs. The State of the State
The relationship between Hochul and Delgado has deteriorated into one of the most awkward “living arrangements” in American politics. While Delgado remains the lieutenant governor on paper, he has used his office to launch what he calls a “State of the People Tour”—a direct counter-programming effort to Hochul’s official legislative agenda.
- Ideological Breaks: Delgado has blasted Hochul for refusing to raise taxes on the “ultra-wealthy” and for her perceived retreats on 2019 climate mandates.
- The “Mom Governor” Dig: Delgado’s running mate announcement featured a video titled “A Mom from Buffalo,” a pointed reference to Hochul’s frequent use of the “first mom governor” label.
- The Primary Date: Registered Democrats will decide between the two tickets on June 23, 2026.
The Mamdani Factor
The primary battle is further complicated by the rise of Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic Socialist who was elected Mayor of New York City in November 2025.
While Hochul and Mamdani have maintained a fragile alliance on issues like universal childcare, they are currently at a stalemate over the city’s $12 billion budget gap. Mamdani is pressuring Albany to approve a 2% wealth tax on New Yorkers earning over $1 million, a proposal Hochul dismissed last week as a threat to the state’s tax base. Delgado has aligned himself closely with Mamdani’s tax-the-rich platform, hoping to capture the same progressive energy that carried the mayor to City Hall.
Poll Watch: The Current Standings
Despite the high-profile primary challenge, an early February Siena Research Institute poll shows Hochul maintaining a commanding lead.
- Hochul (D): 64%
- Delgado (D): 11%
- Undecided: 23%
On the Republican side, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman—a vocal ally of the Trump administration—has emerged as the clear frontrunner for the GOP nomination. Blakeman quickly criticized Hochul’s choice of Adams on Wednesday, labeling her a “radical” who supported defunding the NYPD during her time in the City Council.