Albany, N.Y. -- In a brazen display of political vengeance, New York Governor Kathy Hochul is ruthlessly stripping her lieutenant governor, Antonio Delgado, of nearly all his power after he dared to hint at a primary challenge against her in the upcoming gubernatorial election. Hochul has wielded her authority like an iron-fisted ruler, reducing Delgado to little more than a figurehead—stripping him of office space, confiscating his electronic devices, and banishing his staff. The question remains: will Delgado stand his ground, or will he be forced to surrender under Hochul’s dictatorial pressure?
Hochul ascended to the governorship in 2021 following the resignation of former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who was ousted after an investigation by the state attorney general into multiple sexual harassment allegations. When Hochul sought election in her own right in 2022, she needed a running mate and handpicked then-Congressman Antonio Delgado. With Hochul’s backing, Delgado defeated two other Democratic contenders to become lieutenant governor, but it soon became clear that Hochul expected unwavering loyalty, not independent thought.
Delgado, a moderate conservative Democrat, quickly became an outlier in Hochul’s administration, refusing to blindly follow the progressive agenda she and other party leaders championed. He frequently spoke about issues affecting rural, working-class communities, arguing that political elites had abandoned them. This ideological independence put him at odds with Hochul, who has demonstrated time and again that she values submission over diverse perspectives.
One of the most public fractures between Hochul and Delgado stemmed from their views on President Joe Biden’s reelection bid. Delgado boldly suggested that Biden should step aside due to his age, advocating for a fresh Democratic leader. Hochul, however, fell in line with the Democratic establishment, fiercely defending Biden and demanding that all party members follow suit. Despite Delgado later releasing a social media statement acknowledging Biden’s accomplishments, Hochul’s camp dismissed it outright, making it clear that deviation from the party narrative would not be tolerated.
As the 2026 gubernatorial election approaches, Hochul is already eliminating perceived threats to her power. When Delgado refused to commit to running on her ticket again, choosing instead to announce his potential run against her—Hochul’s response was swift and ruthless.
"Today, Antonio Delgado finally said out loud what has been obvious for quite some time: he is simply not interested in doing the job of the lieutenant governor of the state of New York," Hochul’s communications director Anthony Hogrebe declared in an official statement. Assemblyman John McDonald, who has witnessed the growing tension, noted that the divide between the two has deepened beyond repair. “It is clear to me that he’s not happy being in the role of lieutenant governor, but I wish him well in whatever he chooses to do,” Hochul told reporters last Tuesday in Albany in her first public remarks since Delgado’s announcement.
In an unprecedented and authoritarian move, Hochul has stripped Delgado of nearly all of his official functions. She has physically removed him from his office in Albany’s Capitol building, taken away his offices in New York City and the Hudson Valley, confiscated his state-issued electronic devices, and reassigned his staff to other roles—essentially leaving him powerless.
Despite Hochul’s efforts, Delgado remains an elected official, and she cannot legally force him to resign. Instead, she appears determined to make his job unbearable, hoping he will step down under the weight of her oppression. Yet, despite having been reduced to a symbolic title, Delgado continues to receive his $220,000 salary, making him the highest-paid lieutenant governor in the nation—a thorn in Hochul’s side that she cannot remove.
Delgado has yet to announce his next move, but his recent remarks suggest that he refuses to be silenced. In a CBS 6 Albany interview, he made it clear that his loyalty lies with the people of New York, not with a dictatorial governor.
"For me, it's very, very important for New Yorkers to know that I am their voice, that I want to be their voice, and that is the only thing that I am beholden to," Delgado declared.
Hochul’s actions reek of desperation and fear, as she seeks to eliminate any challenge to her throne. By stripping Delgado of his legal powers, she has sent a chilling message: challenge her rule, and you will be destroyed. The future of New York’s political landscape is now more uncertain than ever, as Hochul tightens her grip on power, willing to crush anyone who dares stand in her way.
Chris O'Neil © 2025 Trash Media Group
www.trashmediagroup.com
