New York Governor Kathy Hochul Seeks Balance in Running Mate Search as Primary Looms.
The search for Lieutenant Governor is taking center stage for Governor Kathy Hochul as she ponders a new pick to complement her ticket ahead of the 2026 primary. She hopes that after two previous unsuccessful choices, the third time will indeed be the charm.
As the Democratic primary approaches, Hochul's team has been discreetly courting potential candidates from downstate New York, a move intended to balance out her predominantly upstate profile. A shortlist has emerged featuring prominent figures like Brian Cunningham, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, and state Dormitory Authority President & CEO Robert Rodriguez.
While it's unclear who will ultimately secure the role, one thing is certain – Cunningham, a Democrat from Flatbush, Brooklyn, is confident that he'll be included in the decision-making process. He acknowledged that his support for Hochul is unwavering, even if she doesn't choose him as her running mate.
Hochul's previous attempts at selecting a Lieutenant Governor have proven disastrous. Her first pick, Brian Benjamin, resigned under scandal, and her second, Lt. Governor Antonio Delgado, quickly turned against her after launching his own gubernatorial bid. Delgado now faces off with Hochul in the upcoming primary.
As Albany County Executive Dan McCoy noted, it's essential for a Lieutenant Governor to complement the Governor's agenda and be able to travel extensively throughout New York State, rallying support for the administration's policies. With Hochul's campaign preparing for the primary challenge ahead, her next pick must demonstrate their ability to form effective partnerships and push the governor's initiatives.
As New York heads toward a new system for electing its Lieutenant Governor, where candidates will be chosen by the governors themselves before party primaries begin, the stakes have never been higher. The lieutenant governor serves as the first in line of succession to the governor and is largely responsible for promoting the state's agenda at a time when Hochul aims to capitalize on her proven track record.
The search for Lieutenant Governor is taking center stage for Governor Kathy Hochul as she ponders a new pick to complement her ticket ahead of the 2026 primary. She hopes that after two previous unsuccessful choices, the third time will indeed be the charm.
As the Democratic primary approaches, Hochul's team has been discreetly courting potential candidates from downstate New York, a move intended to balance out her predominantly upstate profile. A shortlist has emerged featuring prominent figures like Brian Cunningham, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, and state Dormitory Authority President & CEO Robert Rodriguez.
While it's unclear who will ultimately secure the role, one thing is certain – Cunningham, a Democrat from Flatbush, Brooklyn, is confident that he'll be included in the decision-making process. He acknowledged that his support for Hochul is unwavering, even if she doesn't choose him as her running mate.
Hochul's previous attempts at selecting a Lieutenant Governor have proven disastrous. Her first pick, Brian Benjamin, resigned under scandal, and her second, Lt. Governor Antonio Delgado, quickly turned against her after launching his own gubernatorial bid. Delgado now faces off with Hochul in the upcoming primary.
As Albany County Executive Dan McCoy noted, it's essential for a Lieutenant Governor to complement the Governor's agenda and be able to travel extensively throughout New York State, rallying support for the administration's policies. With Hochul's campaign preparing for the primary challenge ahead, her next pick must demonstrate their ability to form effective partnerships and push the governor's initiatives.
As New York heads toward a new system for electing its Lieutenant Governor, where candidates will be chosen by the governors themselves before party primaries begin, the stakes have never been higher. The lieutenant governor serves as the first in line of succession to the governor and is largely responsible for promoting the state's agenda at a time when Hochul aims to capitalize on her proven track record.
so i think kathy hochul needs someone who can keep up with her fast pace, you know? like, she's got a lot on her plate as gov and she doesn't need some lt gov just sitting back lol [
her last two picks were a disaster, so fingers crossed this one works out 
... she's gotta find the perfect person to balance out her team and support her campaign, but also not mess up again 
... I mean, poor Brian Benjamin and Antonio Delgado got burned by their own ambition 
... hopefully this new guy is a good choice, cuz NYC needs a solid backup plan 
... and can you even imagine having to choose someone who's gonna be the first in line for governor? 
that's some heavy responsibility right there 
. It's all about finding that balance between having someone from downstate New York to represent different parts of the state, while still having someone who can rally support for her policies across the board 
. I'm curious to see who she'll choose this time around - gotta be someone who's got her back and can help her carry the torch in 2026 
.
like what even is the criteria here? is it just whoever can sell themselves the best or who can bring in some cool Brooklyn cred? 
i feel bad for governor hochul, she's got a tough row to hoe after those two previous fails... and omg the new system of electing lieutenant governors? that sounds like a total headache 
what a mess! anyway, im hoping cuningham gets the nod, he seems like a cool cat 
who knows how to play nice with gov Hochul. gotta make sure whoever she chooses can handle all that traveling around state 
. Brian Cunningham seems like a solid choice, but we'll just have to wait and see how it all plays out 
.
. I think it's gonna be super competitive since anyone can become the governor one day and their current partner is basically a pawn in the game 
. And have you seen Brian Cunningham's profile? He's got some serious skills as Brooklyn DA, but is he really ready for the pressure of being Lt Gov? 
. I mean, Brian Cunningham seems like a great choice, but you never know what happens when you try to mix things up 
. My kid would say she just needs to "wing it" 
... easy for her to say, though! As a parent, I want someone who can keep the team together and push those policies forward 
. They need someone who can help promote her agenda and travel around the state, especially since there's this new system for electing a Lieutenant Governor 
. It's not just about picking someone to fill the spot, it's about finding someone who can make the governor's initiatives shine 
. I'm curious to see how Brian Cunningham fits into the picture 
. Will he be able to overcome past failures and bring a fresh perspective to the ticket? Only time will tell 
.
Hochul's gotta make this one count! 
I've got my eye on Robert Rodriguez tho - he seems like the only one who can bring some balance to that upstate crew 
(22% growth since last quarter!)
(10% decline in enthusiasm for her campaign)
... and we're the ones getting stuck in the middle 
. Like, have you ever tried those amazing street foods in Tokyo? Or the authentic tacos in Mexico City? It's like your taste buds are doing the happy dance 
. Anyway, back to politics... I think it's so interesting how they're trying to balance out Hochul's profile with this new pick. Hopefully, she finds someone who complements her agenda and can help promote those policies 
. By the way, have you seen that new food delivery app that just launched in NYC? I heard their pizza is on point 
