Lt. Gov. Delgado selects Buffalo socialist as running mate

Walton, who nearly unseated Buffalo's ex-mayor, will run as Delgado's lieutenant governor candidate

Feb. 3, 2026 at 9:39pm

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Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado has selected Buffalo socialist India Walton as his running mate for governor, The Post has learned. Walton, a nurse from Buffalo who nearly unseated New York's second largest city's ex-Mayor Byron Brown in 2021, will run as Delgado's lieutenant governor candidate, a source familiar confirmed to The Post.

Why it matters

The move cements Delgado's attempt to boost support amongst the progressive wing of the Democratic party as he tries to tap into fury against long-time establishment figures like Hochul. Walton received the backing of the lefty Working Families Party and Buffalo's Democratic Socialists of America chapter during her 2021 race.

The details

Walton won the Democratic primary in her bid to unseat Brown in 2021, but establishment Democrats, including current state Democratic Committee Chair Jay Jacobs, swooped in to support a write-in campaign for Brown. Brown, an 18-year incumbent, resigned in 2024 — leaving the city millions of dollars in debt for a posh job at Western Regional Off Track Betting.

  • Walton won the Democratic primary for Buffalo mayor in 2021.
  • Brown, an 18-year incumbent, resigned in 2024.

The players

Antonio Delgado

The current Lieutenant Governor of New York who is mounting a primary campaign against Gov. Kathy Hochul.

India Walton

A nurse from Buffalo who nearly unseated New York's second largest city's ex-Mayor Byron Brown in 2021 and will now run as Delgado's lieutenant governor candidate.

Byron Brown

The 18-year incumbent mayor of Buffalo who resigned in 2024, leaving the city millions of dollars in debt for a job at Western Regional Off Track Betting.

Jay Jacobs

The current chair of the New York State Democratic Committee who supported a write-in campaign for Byron Brown against India Walton in 2021.

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The takeaway

This selection of India Walton as Delgado's running mate signals his attempt to energize the progressive wing of the Democratic party as he challenges the establishment figure of Kathy Hochul for the governorship.