Gov. Kathy Hochul Wednesday picked former NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Adams as running mate in her fall Democratic reelection campaign, forging the first all-female ticket in state history.
Hochul tapped Adams as her lieutenant governor candidate to help her win over minority voters in New York City, lauding their shared working class roots.
“I need a fighter in my corner who’ll stand strong for New York families. Adrienne Adams is that fighter,” Hochul said in a statement.
“We’re going to continue investing in public safety, bringing costs down, and making this state a place where all families can thrive,” Hochul added.
Adams, 67, served two terms representing a southeast Queens district, and forged a reputation as a moderate as council president. She ran for mayor last year but faltered badly, finishing at the back of the pack behind eventual winner Mayor Mamdani.
“I’m ready to go win this election — so that we can lower costs, keep New Yorkers safe, and put money back in New Yorkers’ pockets,” Adams tweeted.
Adams, who is not related to ex-Mayor Eric Adams, replaces current Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado on the ticket. Delgado broke with Hochul and is running against his boss in the Democratic primary, but is trailing far behind in polls.
Republicans are coalescing behind Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman after Rep. Elise Stefanik abruptly pulled out of the race.
Polls show Hochul building a significant lead over Blakeman. Most analysts consider Hochul to be a strong favorite in a midterm election year when Democratic voters are energized to push back against President Trump’s right-wing agenda.
She underperformed badly in her first reelection campaign in 2022 when she beat GOP ex-Rep. Lee Zeldin by only 6%.
Hochul has rebuilt her popularity among liberal voters by taking aggressive stands against President Trump, who is deeply unpopular in the heavily Demcratic state.
