In a surprising turn of events, New York Governor Kathy Hochul has seemingly severed communication with her Lieutenant Governor, Antonio Delgado, despite his technical role as acting governor during her recent absence.
Delgado, who has launched a primary challenge against Hochul, disclosed that their communication ceased months ago. "It's been a long time," Delgado remarked during a campaign event in Brooklyn, emphasizing the duration of their silence as "definitely months."
According to The New York Post, a source within the governor's office confirmed this mutual silence, noting that Delgado did not inform Hochul of his decision to run independently for lieutenant governor in 2026.
This lack of communication is not entirely new, as tensions between the two have been simmering since Delgado publicly opposed Hochul by urging President Biden to reconsider his reelection bid last year.
While Hochul was engaged in political meetings in Massachusetts, her absence should have activated a constitutional provision designating Delgado as the acting executive. However, the governor's office appeared to disregard this stipulation, leaving Delgado without authority.
Cam MacDonald, general counsel at the Empire Center for Public Policy, explained to The Post, "The plain language says that theres a succession automatically when shes out of state." Yet, MacDonald acknowledged a 1963 revision that adds ambiguity, allowing the lieutenant governor to assume duties not only when the governor is out of state but also when they are "otherwise unable to discharge the powers and duties of the office of governor." He noted, "The language made it a little bit more gray."
Interestingly, Hochul's interpretation of this provision seems to have shifted following her public rift with Delgado. In 2023, when she was out of state, she instructed Delgado to call a special election for the 27th Assembly District. A press release from her office at the time stated, "As Governor Hochul is currently out of New York State, Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado issued the proclamation pursuant to the New York State Constitution," with Delgado signing the proclamation.
Despite the unfolding drama, Delgado's spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment on Thursday. The situation raises questions about the dynamics within New York's executive branch and the implications of such a public split between its top officials.
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