Hochul Appoints US Rep. Antonio Delgado as New York Lt. Governor – NBC New York (47)

New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced Tuesday that she has named Congressman Antonio Delgado as her lieutenant governor after resigning.to Brian Benjamin following his arrest on corruption charges last month.

Delgado, a Democrat, represents New York’s 19th congressional district, which includes the Hudson Valley and the Catskills. Afro-Latino, he is the first person of color to represent upstate New York in Congress and is a member of both the Black and Hispanic Congressional Caucuses.

Latinos make up about one-fifth of the population, but have not yet been elected to a statewide office in New York or to a municipal office in New York City.

“I am proud to name Antonio Delgado, an outstanding leader and public servant, as Lieutenant Governor of New York, and I look forward to working with him to usher in a new era of justice, equity and prosperity for communities across the state,” he said. the governor in a statement announcing the appointment. “We share a belief in working together to get things done for New Yorkers, and Representative Delgado has an incredible track record of doing just that in Congress.”

“With Antonio Delgado by my side serving as Lieutenant Governor, we will both make history and make a difference,” added Hochul.

Delgado was born upstate and raised in Schenectady and lives in Rhinebeck with his wife, Lacey, and 8-year-old twin sons, Maxwell and Coltrane.

He attended Colgate University and was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford. Later, he received a law degree from Harvard Law School, where he met his wife. He lived in New York City for several years as a young attorney.

“New Yorkers deserve a lieutenant governor who works day and night to improve the lives of working people and their families,” Delgado said of his appointment. “It doesn’t matter upstate or downstate. We all want the same things, safety, family and opportunity. The key is to listen to New Yorkers from all walks of life and then be their voice to get the job done.”

Delgado has fought to bring relief to family farms, help small businesses rebuild and thrive, create clean energy jobs, increase broadband access and support veterans, Hochul’s office said, noting his ability to get across the hall to get things done. Presidents of both parties signed 18 bills and passed critical reforms, including the Strengthening Student Financial Aid Act, the Improving Benefits for Neglected Veterans Act, the Direct Support to Communities Act, and the Accessibility Help for Small Businesses.

Delgado was first elected to Congress in 2018. He serves as chair of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Commodity Exchanges, Energy, and Credit, and is a member of the House Small Business and Transportation and Infrastructure Committees.

Gov. Hochul made the announcement Tuesday as she seeks to turn the page once again after her choice for lieutenant governor, made in an effort to restore confidence in the government following the resignation of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, imploded amid scandal.

It comes a day after legislative allies changed state law Monday in a way that takes Benjamin off the ballot in the primary election and allows Hochul to campaign with Delgado.

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