Hochul Expands Her Search for Lieutenant Governor As Primary Looms
Governor Kathy Hochul is taking a more methodical approach to selecting her running mate in 2026, after two unsuccessful attempts. The Democratic governor has assembled a shortlist of potential candidates from downstate New York, where she hopes to find someone who can help balance out her ticket.
Eric Gonzalez, the Brooklyn district attorney, and state Assemblymember Brian Cunningham are among those being considered for the role. Rodriguez and Mosley, both of whom have previous experience in public office, round out the list. The governor has yet to announce her pick, but with a deadline looming, it remains to be seen who will join her ticket.
A strategic move by Hochul's camp is seeking candidates from New York City, where she believes voters tend to congregate. Cunningham, a Democrat from Brooklyn, is well-positioned to make the case for himself as he works to build relationships within various ideological groups.
The lieutenant governor position has proven difficult to fill since Hochul took office in 2021. Her previous picks, Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado and Brian Benjamin, both had their tenures cut short by scandal or controversy. In contrast, Cunningham has positioned himself as a strong supporter of Hochul's policies and an ally within the party.
If chosen, the new lieutenant governor would need to hit the road, building support for her agenda while serving as the state Senate's president. "The governor needs that partnership," said Albany County Executive Dan McCoy, highlighting the importance of finding someone who can complement Hochul's leadership style.
For now, it remains uncertain which candidate will join Hochul on the ticket come November 2026. The lieutenant governor's role serves not only as a constitutional requirement but also as a crucial component of her team, pushing her agenda and rallying support for key initiatives.
Governor Kathy Hochul is taking a more methodical approach to selecting her running mate in 2026, after two unsuccessful attempts. The Democratic governor has assembled a shortlist of potential candidates from downstate New York, where she hopes to find someone who can help balance out her ticket.
Eric Gonzalez, the Brooklyn district attorney, and state Assemblymember Brian Cunningham are among those being considered for the role. Rodriguez and Mosley, both of whom have previous experience in public office, round out the list. The governor has yet to announce her pick, but with a deadline looming, it remains to be seen who will join her ticket.
A strategic move by Hochul's camp is seeking candidates from New York City, where she believes voters tend to congregate. Cunningham, a Democrat from Brooklyn, is well-positioned to make the case for himself as he works to build relationships within various ideological groups.
The lieutenant governor position has proven difficult to fill since Hochul took office in 2021. Her previous picks, Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado and Brian Benjamin, both had their tenures cut short by scandal or controversy. In contrast, Cunningham has positioned himself as a strong supporter of Hochul's policies and an ally within the party.
If chosen, the new lieutenant governor would need to hit the road, building support for her agenda while serving as the state Senate's president. "The governor needs that partnership," said Albany County Executive Dan McCoy, highlighting the importance of finding someone who can complement Hochul's leadership style.
For now, it remains uncertain which candidate will join Hochul on the ticket come November 2026. The lieutenant governor's role serves not only as a constitutional requirement but also as a crucial component of her team, pushing her agenda and rallying support for key initiatives.
. I mean, she had some tough breaks last time around, what with Delgado and Benjamin both getting the axe. But you know who hasn’t gotten any heat? Cunningham, the Brooklyn DA 
. He seems like a solid choice, all in all. And hey, since she’s trying to balance out her ticket, maybe it’s not just about NYC voters anymore... although I do think she still needs someone from upstate 
.
But if Hochul can find someone who really gets her vibe, I think it could actually work out alright 
.
. We'll see what November 2026 brings!
. It's not about finding someone who's just another yes-man, though; you need someone who can actually help drive her agenda forward 
i feel bad for Antonio Delgado tho, he got a raw deal 
anyway, think Cunningham would be a great pick? he seems super on board with Hochul's plans and has that NYC vibe going for him 
️
. I mean, Gonzalez is lookin like a solid pick but I'm still waitin to see if she'll go with Cunningham or Mosley 
. I think it's smart of them to choose from downstate NY though, that way they can balance out the NYC vibe 
. Hopefully this new pick will be able to help Hochul make a real impact in the state 
.
! I think Hochul needs someone with some street cred from the city 
. Eric Gonzalez seems like a solid pick 
from being a Brooklyn DA 
. Fingers crossed she chooses wisely 
The lieutenant governor role is so important 
... can't wait to see who'll join the team 
so Hochul is trying to find a trusty sidekick... like how Batman has Robin? guess they're looking for someone who can handle the drama that comes with being part of a Hochul ticket 
anyway, I heard Eric Gonzalez is on the shortlist... hope he's ready for some serious stress and scandal drama 
. Whoever she chooses will have a tough job building support and promoting her agenda, but it sounds like Albany County Executive Dan McCoy thinks it could be a great partnership 
... he's got experience as a district attorney and has built relationships within the party. Fingers crossed whoever gets picked will be able to help Hochul out on her agenda! 
. And what's with the emphasis on finding someone who balances out her ticket? Can't they just find someone who shares her vision and values? I guess time will tell if this whole thing is worth the fuss 
.