NY Gov. Kathy Hochul Picks Adrienne Adams for Historic All-Women Ticket/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Governor Kathy Hochul has chosen Adrienne Adams as her running mate, forming New York’s first all-women major-party ticket. Adams, a former NYC Council Speaker, would become the state’s first Black woman lieutenant governor. The move brings geographic balance and moderate appeal to Hochul’s re-election campaign.
Hochul-Adams Ticket Makes History: Quick Looks
- Gov. Kathy Hochul selects Adrienne Adams for 2026 lieutenant governor race
- Forms New York’s first all-female ticket from a major political party
- Adams, ex-NYC Council Speaker, would be first Black woman in the role
- Both leaders are moderates with strong ties to working-class communities
- Pick brings Queens-Buffalo balance and aims to avoid past running mate troubles
- Hochul’s prior lieutenant governors, Brian Benjamin and Antonio Delgado, stirred controversy
- Adams has prior campaign experience and moderate appeal
- Republican Bruce Blakeman has not yet announced his running mate
Deep Look: NY Gov. Kathy Hochul Picks Adrienne Adams for Historic All-Women Ticket
ALBANY, N.Y. — Governor Kathy Hochul has made a historic move in New York politics by selecting Adrienne Adams, former New York City Council Speaker, as her running mate in the 2026 election. The pairing creates the first-ever all-women major-party ticket in the state’s history — a notable milestone in a government long dominated by men.
The choice of Adams, a Queens Democrat, adds a layer of balance and symbolism to Hochul’s re-election bid. Hochul, the state’s first female governor, hails from Buffalo, while Adams, if elected, would become the first Black woman to serve as lieutenant governor.
“Adrienne and I are no strangers to rolling up our sleeves and getting results for working New Yorkers,” Hochul said in a statement. “Together, we’re going to continue investing in public safety, bringing costs down, and making this state a place where all families can thrive.”
Adams and Hochul, both moderate Democrats, share similar values and personal profiles. They are church-going mothers in their 60s who have taken pragmatic approaches to leadership in a time of heightened political polarization.
While the lieutenant governor’s role is largely ceremonial in New York, Hochul has emphasized the importance of selecting a running mate ready to step into the top job if needed. Her past choices for the role have created turbulence.
Brian Benjamin, her first appointee, resigned just months into his tenure after being indicted on corruption charges—charges that were later dropped, but not before damaging Hochul’s image. Antonio Delgado replaced Benjamin but has had an uneasy partnership with the governor. Delgado has now launched a long-shot primary campaign against her and named India Walton as his own running mate. Like Adams, Walton would also make history as the first Black woman to hold the office if elected.
Adams, 65, entered the political spotlight during last year’s Democratic mayoral primary, prompted in part by efforts to block a political comeback from former Governor Andrew Cuomo. Though she finished fourth in the ranked-choice process, Adams earned attention for standing up to more progressive candidates like Zohran Mamdani, criticizing him for supporting the abolition of ICE—a stance she later walked back.
After the primary, Adams ultimately endorsed Mamdani, despite skepticism about his chances in the general election.
Hochul’s campaign maintained secrecy about Adams’ selection, fending off rumors for days. The announcement arrives as Hochul maintains a commanding lead over primary opponents and aims to showcase party unity and stability through her choice.
Her likely Republican challenger, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, has yet to name his lieutenant governor pick.
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