Hochul Picks Former NYC Council Speaker As Running Mate In Governor's Race

NEW YORK CITY — Gov. Kathy Hochul has picked former City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams as her lieutenant governor in the upcoming governor's race, according to multiple media reports.

The decision marks New York’s first all-female Democratic ticket. Adams would be the state first Black female lieutenant governor if elected.

“As Donald Trump attacks this state relentlessly and Bruce Blakeman bends the knee before him, I need a fighter in my corner who’ll stand strong for New York families. Adrienne Adams is that fighter,” Hochul said in a statement to NY1.

Adams, who lives in Jamaica, Queens, was first elected to City Council in 2017 representing District 28. In 2022, she was elected to be the speaker of the City Council.

More recently, Adams ran an unsuccessful bid for mayor in the Democratic primary.

“I am honored to stand side by side with Gov. Kathy Hochul in her fight for a safe, affordable, and resilient New York,” Adams told the outlet in a statement.

Hochul’s current lieutenant governor, Antonio Delgado, is running against his boss in the governor's race. He has chosen former Buffalo mayoral candidate India Walton as his running mate.