Democrat Governor Reveals Her Running Mate
New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday that she has selected former New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams as her running mate in her reelection campaign, setting the stage for a high-stakes governor’s race in a state already grappling with rising costs, crime concerns, and population loss.
In a prepared statement, Hochul once again centered her campaign message on opposition to Donald Trump, accusing him of attacking New York and claiming Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman has aligned himself too closely with the former president.
Hochul said she chose Adams because she wanted what she called a “fighter” to help defend New York families — language Democrats frequently use as debates over taxes, housing costs, and public safety continue to dominate the state’s political landscape.
Adams said she was “honored” to join the ticket and echoed Hochul’s warnings about Republicans. In her remarks, she accused Trump and his allies of driving up costs and threatening child care programs, repeating familiar Democratic talking points as inflation and affordability remain top concerns for many voters.
Adams previously ran for New York City mayor but lost to current mayor Zohran Mamdani. She became the first Black Speaker of the New York City Council in 2022, a historic milestone often highlighted by progressive activists and party leaders.
If Hochul and Adams win in November, it would mark the first time two women have simultaneously held New York’s top executive offices — a symbolic achievement Democrats are expected to emphasize heavily during the campaign.
Meanwhile, Hochul is also facing a primary challenge from her current lieutenant governor, Antonio Delgado, who has attempted to position himself as an alternative within the Democratic Party. Delgado recently selected democratic socialist India Walton as his running mate, highlighting ideological divisions among Democrats.
Despite the primary challenge, Delgado is widely viewed as a long-shot candidate. A recent Siena Poll found Hochul defeating Delgado by a commanding 64 percent to 11 percent margin. The same poll showed Hochul leading Blakeman 54 percent to 28 percent in a potential general election matchup.
The nonpartisan Cook Political Report currently rates the New York governor’s race as “solid Democratic,” though critics argue that persistent issues such as high taxes, crime, and residents leaving the state could eventually test that advantage.
As the election approaches, the race is expected to focus heavily on affordability, public safety, and the long-term direction of New York — issues that continue to resonate strongly with voters across the state.
