Gov. Katie Hochul announced Tuesday that she has elected Antonio Delgado, a Democrat from the Hudson Valley, as her new vice governor, the second-highest official in New York State.
Mr Delgado is expected to serve as Ms. Hochul’s candidate as she fights for a full term this year. He will replace former Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin, who was charged with federal bribery last month and led to his sudden resignation.
A group of New York Democrats authorized to formally replace Mr Benjamin backed Mr Delgado’s election as Ms Hochul’s candidate on Tuesday morning, ensuring he will be included in the ballot for the June primary elections, according to three people familiar with the process. Jay Jacobs, chairman of the Democratic Party, was expected to fly to Albany later Tuesday to fly the necessary documents approving the election.
Mr. Delgado, 45, who has represented New York’s 19th Congressional District since 2019, has proven he can win the fierce election and help Ms. Hochul diversify her ticket. He identifies as African-American and Latin-American, with family roots in the West African island nation of Cape Verde.
Like Ms. Hochul, he comes from outside New York, where much of the Democratic Party’s primary electorate resides, and has campaigned as politically moderate.
After winning a competitive primary and general congressional election, Representative Antonio Delgado is a battle-tested activist with experience in serving New Yorkers and work ethic to bring our party’s message to the electorate, unite communities and elevate candidates. Democrats across the state, “Ms Hochul said in a statement.
The announcement came a day after U.S. lawmakers passed a law Monday requiring Ms. Hochul to allow Mr. Benjamin’s name removed from the Democratic primary and replaced by another candidate ahead of the primary primary for governor scheduled. for June 28.
Mr Delgado will have to relinquish his seat in Congress to serve the remainder of Mr Benjamin’s term as vice-governor, a largely ceremonial role entrusted with few legal obligations. The vice-governor also serves as governor when the governor dies, resigns, is impeached, or is absent or disabled.
Mr Delgado is likely to face a difficult re-election battle this autumn. Democrats tried to add friendly voters to his county when they approved a new congressional map earlier this year, but the state’s highest court lifted the district’s newly drawn boundaries last week. The lines drawn by the court are likely to make the place much more competitive.
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