Hochul Clinches Democratic Nomination for New York Governor

Despite last-minute revolt, incumbent governor secures 85% of convention vote over challenger Delgado

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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New York Governor Kathy Hochul officially received the Democratic party's nomination for governor at the state convention in Syracuse on Friday, easily capturing 85% of the vote over her estranged Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado. Hochul's victory came despite a last-minute revolt by some Brooklyn Democrats after she announced former New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams as her running mate. In her speech following the vote, Hochul sharply criticized former President Donald Trump and the Republican party.

Why it matters

Hochul's decisive victory in the Democratic convention solidifies her position as the party's standard-bearer heading into the November general election. As an incumbent governor, Hochul will be the favorite to win the governorship, though Delgado has vowed to mount a long-shot primary challenge from the left. Hochul's ability to unite the party behind her candidacy, despite some internal divisions, will be crucial as she seeks to fend off a potential Republican challenger in the fall.

The details

Hochul easily captured 85% of the convention's vote, while Delgado received just under 15%. Delgado confirmed he will continue to run in the primary, saying 'the millions of people that are out there in New York, they are and still remain hungry for change.' Hochul used her speech to sharply criticize former President Trump and the Republican party, calling the GOP 'a personality cult where truth is subjective' and saying 'the pillars of our very Democracy, truth, the rule of law, is under attack, not by a foreign power, but by our own president.'

  • The Democratic convention took place on Friday, February 6, 2026.

The players

Kathy Hochul

The incumbent Governor of New York, who received the Democratic party's nomination for governor at the state convention.

Antonio Delgado

Hochul's estranged Lieutenant Governor, who received just under 15% of the convention vote and will continue to mount a long-shot primary challenge against Hochul.

Adrienne Adams

The former New York City Council Speaker, whom Hochul announced as her running mate, sparking a last-minute revolt by some Brooklyn Democrats.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States, whom Hochul sharply criticized in her convention speech.

Zohran Mamdani

The New York City Mayor, who made a blockbuster endorsement of Hochul on Thursday.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

The Democratic Congresswoman from New York, who endorsed Hochul along with the state's Democratic congressional delegation on Friday.

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What they’re saying

“Donald Trump's Republican Party is a personality cult where truth is subjective, truth is crushed, and the American people have become the enemy.”

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

“In my lifetime, the pillars of our very Democracy, truth, the rule of law, is under attack, not by a foreign power, but by our own president.”

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

“The millions of people that are out there in New York, they are and still remain hungry for change.”

— Antonio Delgado, Lieutenant Governor of New York (nypost.com)

What’s next

Delgado will continue to mount a long-shot primary challenge against Hochul, setting up a potential intraparty battle ahead of the November general election.

The takeaway

Hochul's decisive victory at the Democratic convention, despite some internal divisions, positions her as the favorite to win the governorship in November. However, Delgado's vow to continue his campaign from the left suggests the party may face lingering tensions heading into the general election.