Hochul Appoints Rep. Antonio Delgardo as Lt. Gov.

Governor Kathy Hochul appointed upstate Congressman Antonio Delgado to be her new lieutenant governor Tuesday, May 3, filling the vacancy left by Brian Benjamin who resigned amid federal campaign corruption charges last month.

Both Houses of the New York State legislature passed and the governor signed a law Monday evening which made it possible for Benjamin’s name to be removed from the primary ballot during this year’s election.

Congressman Delgado represents the Hudson Valley and the Catskills. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2018. Delgado, the first person of color to represent the upstate to 19th CD, was a likely choice to be a running mate for Governor Hochul, because Delgado is credited with flipping a Republican area to the Democratic column in tthe last state and federal races in 2020.

“I am proud to appoint Antonio Delgado, an outstanding leader and public servant, as Lieutenant Governor of New York, and I look forward to working with him to usher in a new era of fairness, equity, and prosperity for communities across the State,” Hochul said in a statement.

“We share a belief in working together to get things done for New Yorkers, and Representative Delgado has an incredible record of doing just that in Congress. With Antonio Delgado by my side serving as Lieutenant Governor, we will both make history – and make a difference,” the governor added.

Delgado resides in Rhinebeck with his wife Lacey. The couple has twin eight-year-old sons, Maxwell and Coltrane.