Lt. Col. Antonio Delgado is aiming for the role of New York’s governor, but reports indicate he has frequently missed work since stepping into a $210,000 position three years ago.
Since Governor Kathy Hochul’s second inauguration on May 25, 2022, Delgado is said to have accrued around 411 days off, which represents about 41% of his first 1,011 days in office, as of February 28.
His workload reportedly lightened after he announced in late February that he would publicly separate from Hochul and not seek reelection.
While official vacation records are not provided, it’s noted that Delgado has been absent for about 135 weekdays over the nearly three years he has been in office.
This absence equates to roughly 27 weeks off. Notably, he has a blank schedule recorded for 318 days, suggesting a lack of commitment to public events, which includes weekends.
On multiple occasions, his work activities have involved minimal engagement, such as brief calls with staff. Currently, Delgado is preparing to challenge his opponents in next year’s Democratic primary while still collecting his salary as lieutenant governor.
Sources familiar with Albany suggest a diminished presence in the office. One observer pointed out, “It’s clear he hasn’t shown up consistently for his duties,” noting that there were multiple instances when he failed to attend initiatives he claimed as achievements.
After February 28, the state’s administration ceased providing him with administrative help, although the governor’s office stated he “utilizes his calendar and other state systems” for his tasks. Yet, a Democratic spokesperson indicated that there hasn’t been any activity related to his schedule since he broke ties with Hochul.
By law, the lieutenant governor also serves as the Senate president, a largely ceremonial role that primarily involves casting votes during rare occasions.
In his campaign materials, Delgado touts a commitment to “over 1,000 events,” but his actual attendance records reflect limited participation, with only 31 documented meetings concerning anti-hate initiatives and regional councils.
Most of his public engagements seem to revolve around parades and ribbon-cutting ceremonies, with rare interactions with top state leaders. In contrast, Hochul has established a reputation as a highly active lieutenant governor during her tenure.
Robert Duffy, a former lieutenant governor, expressed surprise at Delgado’s work ethic and noted that fulfilling the role responsibly typically requires much more engagement.
Duffy remarked, “You can’t just pop in and out occasionally; it’s a demanding job,” emphasizing that the responsibilities usually require a near full-time commitment.
Despite not releasing his schedule since parting with Hochul, Delgado’s campaign indicates he has participated in at least 85 public events between March and May of this year.
His campaign spokesperson, Stephen Ireka, affirmed Delgado’s commitment to serving New Yorkers while also suggesting that challenges to leadership can be complex for some individuals to accept.
However, some political consultants feel Delgado lacks a clear presence or understanding of his responsibilities, with one stating, “It’s hard to see how he could be a governor with this sort of visibility.”
