Hochul Picks Congressman for Lieutenant Governor

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Tuesday that she is appointing Rep. Antonio Delgado  lieutenant governor, replacing Brian Benjamin, who is facing federal bribery charges.

The Legislature passed a bill Monday to make it possible to remove Benjamin’s name from the Democratic primary ballot.

The second-term congressman represents the 19th Congressional District, which includes the Hudson Valley and Catskills.

“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. “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.” 

“New Yorkers deserve a lieutenant governor who’s working day and night to make lives better for working people and their families,” Delgado said. “Upstate, downstate, doesn’t matter. We all want the same things, security, family, and opportunity. The key is to listen to New Yorkers from all walks of life and then be their voice to get the job done.”  

 Delgado grew up in Schenectady and lives in Rhinebeck with his wife, Lacey, and their twin eight-year-old sons, Maxwell and Coltrane. He attended Colgate University and earned a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford. He received a law degree from Harvard Law School, where he met Lacey.

He was first elected to Congress in 2018, defeating US Rep. John Faso, a Republican. 

Delgado is the chairman of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Commodity Exchanges, Energy, and Credit, and he serves on the House Small Business and Transportation and Infrastructure Committees. 

The New York State United Teachers said, “Congressman Delgado is a dedicated ally of NYSUT members and working people, championing COVID-19 relief funding, the vital role of public education in our society and the public servants who dedicate themselves to bettering their communities. We congratulate him on his appointment and look forward to continuing to work with Gov. Hochul and her administration to support our public schools, colleges and hospitals as the center of every community.”

Update: Lieutenant Governor Resigns After His Arrest

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