Delgado picks democratic socialist Walton as running mate in NY governor race

Hochul's primary challenger taps India Walton, a former Buffalo mayoral candidate with a history of legal issues, to join his ticket

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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New York Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado, who is challenging Gov. Kathy Hochul in the Democratic primary, has selected India Walton, a democratic socialist with a history of legal and financial troubles, as his running mate. Walton, a former Buffalo mayoral candidate, grabbed national attention in 2021 for her upset primary victory, but then lost the general election. Delgado's move to add Walton to his ticket is seen as an effort to boost his support among progressives as he runs from the left against the more moderate Hochul.

Why it matters

Delgado's choice of Walton as his running mate highlights the divisions within the Democratic party in New York, with the more progressive wing challenging the establishment. Walton's past legal issues and financial troubles could also become a liability for the Delgado campaign as they seek to unseat the incumbent Hochul.

The details

Walton, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, was charged with second-degree harassment in 2014 following a disagreement with a fellow student at a children's hospital. The case was later dismissed. She was also ticketed for aggravated unlicensed operation in 2015, and had earlier legal controversies including a fraud case over food stamp assistance in 2003 and unpaid back taxes in 2004.

  • In 2021, Walton pulled off an upset victory over Buffalo Mayor Bryon Brown in the Democratic primary, which was seen as a sign of the rise of the progressive movement.
  • Walton ended up losing the general election to Brown, who ran as a write-in candidate.

The players

Antonio Delgado

The current New York Lt. Governor who is mounting a Democratic primary challenge against Gov. Kathy Hochul.

India Walton

A democratic socialist and former Buffalo mayoral candidate who Delgado has selected as his running mate.

Kathy Hochul

The incumbent Democratic Governor of New York who is running for re-election.

Bryon Brown

The former Buffalo Mayor who Walton defeated in the 2021 Democratic primary, but then lost to in the general election when he ran as a write-in candidate.

Bruce Blakeman

The all-but-certain Republican nominee for New York Governor.

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What they’re saying

“India Walton represents exactly the kind of transformational and morally courageous leadership New Yorkers are hungry for. She has never been afraid to challenge the status quo, stand up to powerful interests and put working families first.”

— Antonio Delgado, New York Lt. Governor (foxnews.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 (foxnews.com)

What’s next

The judge in the 2014 harassment case against Walton will decide on Tuesday whether to allow her to remain on the ticket with Delgado.

The takeaway

Delgado's selection of the progressive Walton as his running mate signals an effort to energize the left wing of the Democratic party in his challenge against the more moderate Hochul. However, Walton's past legal and financial troubles could become a liability for the campaign.