Finding a Lieutenant Governor: A Challenge for Hochul
Governor Kathy Hochul is facing difficulties in securing a candidate for the lieutenant governor position after two well-known Democratic politicians declined her offer, according to sources.
Donovan Richards, the Queens Borough President, and state Senator Jamal Bailey from the Bronx have both turned down Hochul for the role. It’s worth noting that Hochul has had a bit of a rocky past with this position.
Despite her efforts to reach out to Richards again, he repeated his refusal, which, I guess, isn’t great news for Hochul. A source mentioned, “It’s very sad” regarding the rejection from Richards.
As Hochul prepares for her upcoming nomination by the state Democratic Party, one week remains, and she still hasn’t found a running mate. Other names mentioned as possible candidates include Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez and Robert Rodriguez, chair of the state dormitory authority. Interestingly, State Representative Brian Cunningham said he hasn’t had any inquiries yet, but added that he’d “absolutely take the job if asked.”
Gonzalez is in the mix, but discussions have pointed toward Rodriguez being a safer option, particularly among Latino candidates, due to his lack of prosecutorial controversies that could hurt a campaign. Recent scrutiny arose after Rodriguez backed the release of convicted pedophile Nechemia Weberman amidst pressure from certain segments of the Hasidic community.
Weberman, who faces serious accusations, is currently still in prison after a retrial where he claimed to have forgotten details about his crime. He might be free by 2028.
During a State of the Union event, Gonzalez seemed visibly troubled while addressing Asher Lovi from the Orthodox Jewish victims’ group Zacah regarding potential legal action against Weberman.
Attempts to reach out to other candidates resulted in either refusals or lack of replies.
When asked about her search for a running mate, Hochul was vague and didn’t confirm if Cunningham, Gonzalez, or Mosley are in the running. She simply stated, “We’ve cast a net of pre-screening, and we’re currently in the pre-screening stage.”
Hochul herself previously held the lieutenant governor position under former Governor Andrew Cuomo until his resignation in 2021, following allegations of sexual harassment, which he denies.
Since taking office, Hochul has faced challenges with her predecessors in the role. Her first lieutenant governor, Brian Benjamin, resigned amid a campaign finance investigation, but federal authorities eventually dropped the case in 2025, although he still denies wrongdoing.
Later, Hochul nominated former Congressman Antonio Delgado for the position, but their relationship has worsened, with Delgado now running against her in the Democratic primary.
If Hochul is re-elected, the individual who finally accepts the role will be her third lieutenant governor.
Former Governor David Paterson shared his thoughts, noting that the role has never held much appeal, and that ambitious Democrats often have better chances for advancement elsewhere. He recounted that he didn’t hesitate to accept the position when nominated by Eliot Spitzer, who, he joked, could have asked him to jump out of a plane.
