N.Y. Democrats see Delgado's exit from governor's race as sign party is united around Hochul
Source: Spectrum News NY1
PUBLISHED 7:44 PM ET Feb. 10, 2026
Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado’s exit from the New York governor’s race left few surprised, despite the fact that he said at Friday’s Democratic state convention that he intended to petition to get on the ballot. Delgado ended his long-shot challenge to unseat his boss, Gov. Kathy Hochul, on Tuesday morning.
“I’ve decided to end my campaign for Governor of New York. After much consideration, I’ve concluded that there simply is no viable path forward. And though my campaign has come to an end, I fully intend to do all I can in our effort to build a more humane, affordable and equitable state that serves all New Yorkers,” he said in a statement.
State Sen. Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, who day-to-day runs the chamber over which Delgado presides as lieutenant governor, learned in real time that he was dropping out during an unrelated news conference. “Good idea,” she quipped, stressing what Delgado apparently came to realize. “The convention and the solid victory she had is probably an indicator, so I think it’s better that we are united.” Stewart-Cousins declined to press Delgado to step down as lieutenant governor.
While Delgado failed to gain traction among big name progressives — New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez endorsed Hochul — he did have limited support from some of the more left leaning members of the state Legislature like Brooklyn representatives Assemblymember Emily Gallagher and State Sen. Jabari Brisport. “It was an honor to support a candidate who would stand up to billionaires, not for them,” Brisport said in a social media post.
Read more: https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-ny/politics/2026/02/11/ny-lawmakers-react-delgado-exit-
