Hochul Taps NYC Council Speaker Adams as Lt. Governor Running Mate

Hochul's choice of Adams, the first Black person to hold the position, aims to boost Democratic ticket in New York City and Long Island.

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday that Adrienne Adams, the former Speaker of the New York City Council, will be her running mate for lieutenant governor. Adams, who was the first Black person to hold the position of Council Speaker, is seen as a strategic choice to help shore up support for the Democratic ticket in New York City and Long Island, which are considered crucial battlegrounds in this year's gubernatorial election.

Why it matters

Hochul's selection of Adams as her running mate is a move to strengthen the Democratic ticket's appeal in New York City and on Long Island, which are seen as key regions in the upcoming gubernatorial election. Adams' background as a former Council Speaker and her working-class roots are intended to contrast with the Republican candidate, Bruce Blakeman, who has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump.

The details

Prior to becoming Council Speaker, Adams served eight years on the New York City Council. As Speaker, she was known for being an adversary to former Mayor Eric Adams after he was federally indicted in 2024 (charges that were later dropped). Hochul cited Adams' working-class background and her record of fighting for families, affordable housing, and children as key reasons for selecting her as the running mate.

  • Hochul announced Adams as her running mate on Wednesday, February 4, 2026.
  • The announcement came two days before the Democratic nominating convention in Syracuse.
  • It also came hours after Hochul's primary opponent, Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado, announced that he had chosen India Walton, a Democratic socialist, as his running mate.

The players

Kathy Hochul

The current Governor of New York, who is running for re-election.

Adrienne Adams

The former Speaker of the New York City Council, who is Hochul's choice for lieutenant governor running mate. She was the first Black person to hold the position of Council Speaker.

Antonio Delgado

The current Lieutenant Governor of New York, who is running against Hochul in the Democratic primary.

India Walton

A Democratic socialist who was chosen as Delgado's running mate in the upcoming primary election.

Bruce Blakeman

The Republican candidate for governor, who has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump.

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What they’re saying

“Adrienne and I are no strangers to rolling up our sleeves and getting results for working New Yorkers. Together, we're going to continue investing in public safety, bringing costs down, and making this state a place where all families can thrive.”

— Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York (timesunion.com)

“There's too much on the line for us to let Donald Trump raise costs, rip away child care, and wage war on New York families – and Gov. Hochul and I are ready for this fight.”

— Adrienne Adams, New York City Council Speaker (timesunion.com)

“Leave it to Kathy Hochul to select a radical running mate that welcomed the migrant crisis, defunded the NYPD by a billion dollars, and chased away thousands of jobs to other states.”

— Bruce Blakeman, Nassau County Executive (timesunion.com)

What’s next

The Democratic nominating convention in Syracuse is scheduled for February 6-8, 2026, where Hochul and Adams will officially receive the party's nomination.

The takeaway

Hochul's selection of Adrienne Adams as her running mate is a strategic move to shore up support in New York City and on Long Island, which are seen as crucial battlegrounds in the upcoming gubernatorial election. The choice of a Black, working-class Council Speaker contrasts with the Republican candidate, Bruce Blakeman, who has been endorsed by former President Trump.