Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado drops run for governor, ending all-Black ticket

by Ariama C. Long The New Haven independent

Antonio Delgado, New York’s Democratic lieutenant governor who launched a campaign against Gov. Kathy Hochul for her seat in Albany, has suddenly dropped out of this year’s race, along with his running mate, India Walton. He announced his decision on Tuesday in a statement.

“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,” said Delgado, who just last week boasted with Walton about being an all-Black ticket for Governor. “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.”

Delgado, 49 was the state’s first Afro-Latino to serve in the lieutenant governor position in 2022, replacing former Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin, who resigned to fight federal fraud charges that were later quietly dismissed. He helped Hochul target a diverse array of voters and get reelected for a second term. He also didn’t shy away from the criticism that he was the “runner-up Black man” chosen so that Hochul could save herself from political embarrassment.

But it was when Delgado called for former President Joe Biden to end his presidential campaign in 2024 that the first rift between him and Hochul became apparent. He announced his campaign against her in 2025, taking the scrappy, underdog approach.

Delgado announced a partnership with activist and nurse, India Walton, who he chose to be his running mate on February 4. Walton memorably ran for Mayor of Buffalo in the 2021 primary, defeating the incumbent, Byron Brown. She ultimately lost to Brown in the general election.

Together, Delgado and Walton would’ve been the state’s first all-Black ticket for Governor, a long shot given the state’s gubernatorial history.

Seemingly in response to Delgado’s announcement, Hochul announced her pick as running mate shortly after. She chose former City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, the city’s first Black woman speaker. The team is an all-woman ticket for Governor, which is not unheard of in other states but unprecedented in New York.

Within the course of a week, Delgado and Walton were out of the race.

“It was the most unexpected and huge honor to be considered and brought into the team so seamlessly and with such care,” said Walton in a statement. “I’m sure this is not the last folks will hear from team Delgado/Walton!

“To everyone else who believed in us: Please never forget that your voice matters, and its power extends well beyond any one campaign or any one politician. You must always hold people in office accountable, because at the end of the day, they work for you. We, and I, work for you,” said Delgado. “Ultimately, this decision for me comes down to my belief that to walk with purpose is to walk with love.”

Delgado added that he will also support fellow Democrats in an “effort to hold the line against [President] Trump.”