Curtain Rises Over a Dramatic New York Governor Primary

Et tu, Antonio?

Operatives in both parties have anticipated a rocky road to reelection for New York Gov. Kathy Hochul ever since her underwhelming six-point victory in 2022. But efforts to dethrone her are unfolding in an almost Shakespearean fashion: On June 2, Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado — whom Hochul hand-picked to be her second-in-command just three years ago — announced that he would challenge his own boss for the state’s Democratic nomination.

Delgado entered the race from stage left, accusing Hochul of failing to meet the moment as many New Yorkers struggle to stay afloat. Yet even as the governor battles mediocre approval ratings and weathers attacks from all sides, most operatives agree that Delgado faces a tough task in trying to topple the well-funded incumbent.

With little name ID outside his base in the northern Hudson Valley, Delgado’s first priority is making voters across the state aware of his resume. The 48-year-old was born to a working-class family in Schenectady and played basketball at Colgate University before receiving a Rhodes Scholarship and attending Harvard Law School. After dabbling