Governor Kathy Hochul’s poll numbers are low and a recent Siena poll showed 57% of voters would prefer “someone else” appear on the ballot in the next governor’s race.
With blood in the water, others are making moves to test their own viability. Hochul may well find herself with a primary from several other Democrats—maybe even her own Lt. Gov. Anthony Delgado.
Normally, most folks don’t know who the Lt. Gov. is – maybe even the Governor forgets once in a while - they take such a back seat attending minor ribbon cutting and events. But not, Delgado. As reported in the New York Times, a review of Delgado’s schedule before the election shows he was ramping up his campaign events, and post-election he is busy with TV interviews, and publishing guest opinion pieces.
New York State Conservative Party Chairman, Gerry Kassar said “Hochul should know better than most that Democratic Governors have a history of ignoring their Lt. Governors. Whether Lt. Governor Delgado plans to run for Governor or simply wants to be taken more seriously it is apparent that he has had enough.“
Assemblyman Mike Fitzpatrick (R,C,I-Smithtown) said “I think they sense blood in the water. Torres was the first out of the box and you have Lawler who looks to be the likely Republican candidate. It's two years away and in politics that’s two or three lifetimes. If I were advising the governor I would say don't try to compete with the far-left.”
‘She should look at the changes in some of the neighborhoods in New York City, the voting patterns across the state, and the issues that Trump raised. Priority number one is getting rid of all the criminal migrants. She (Hochul) has to come back to the center. She’s got to have a heart-to-heart with the Left. If she does that I think she's got a better chance, but if she stays where she is I think she could have a tough time in a primary,” Fitzpatrick said.
Hochul will feel pressure with 75% of the vote in a Democrat primary south of the Tappan Zee Bridge that tilts heavily left. At the same time, those neighborhoods also responded to Trump’s messaging on inflation and the law and order. Even much of the left has not been happy with what has been going on with illegal immigration and the economy and that showed in Trump’s gains all across New York.
Fitzpatrick added “I think Governor Hochul has got to get back to basics and just say we're going clean up the city and we’re going get tough on law and order. The smartest thing she could do is fire Alvin Bragg. She would upset some on the far left, but if they're not careful a guy like Lawler could come in and become the next governor.”
Political winds are shifting and even sworn enemies of President Trump are changing their tune. Gov. Whitmer of Michigan has offered an olive branch to Donald Trump. Other governors are saying ‘We'll work with you’ and Pennsylvania Sen. Fetterman has said he’s willing to work with Trump.
“I think Gov. Hochul could only help herself if she said she would work with the new president to make New York safer and stronger economically,” Fitzpatrick concluded.
South Shore Press made multiple attempts to have Lt. Gov. Delgado participate in this story and did not hear back from him or his staff.