(The Center Square) — In a split with New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado is calling on President Joe Biden to drop out of the race, adding to a growing chorus of Democrats who want the party to pick another candidate.
Delgado said he has “immense respect and admiration” for Biden and his “deep and abiding commitment to the American people and our founding democratic ideals” but can’t support him for another two years following his disastrous debate performance against former President Donald Trump, a Republican who is seeking to reclaim the White House in November elections.
“There is no greater threat to our democracy than former President Donald Trump. He must be defeated,” Delgado posted on social media. “That is why I join with millions of Americans — including everyday New Yorkers from all walks of life — who are expressing legitimate concerns about President Biden’s ability to wage a successful campaign against Trump.”
Delgado said Democrats need to pick a nominee “capable of reinvigorating and re-energizing Americans who are determined to protect our democracy, and who want to do so with a candidate they believe can win.”
His stance puts him at odds with his boss, Hochul, a Biden surrogate who remains a steadfast supporter of the president’s reelection bid.
“Governor Hochul has been clear that President Biden is our nominee and he is in this race to win it,” Jen Goodman, a spokeswoman for Hochul’s campaign, said in a statement in response to Delgado’s comments. “While Lieutenant Governor Delgado has the right to voice his opinion, Governor Hochul believes Democrats must come together, move forward as a united party, and focus on defeating Donald Trump in November.”
Biden’s lackluster performance in last month’s presidential debate has prompted serious discussions among Democrats about the president’s age and his ability to continue campaigning.
At least 10 Democratic lawmakers, including New York Congressman Pat Ryan — who faces a tough re-election bid in November — have publicly called on Biden to get out of the race. Nearly 40 other congressional Democrats have expressed concerns about Biden as the party’s nominee but stopped short of saying he should drop out.
Still, other top New York lawmakers, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, are standing behind Biden after making public statements backing his candidacy.
Delgado’s break with Hochul comes less than a week after the governor announced plans to run for reelection in 2026 and keep the second-in-command as her running mate.
To be sure, the lieutenant governor’s post has little constitutional authority or chance for advancement –- unless the boss steps down or dies while in office. The position operates largely in the shadows of the governor’s office with travel around the state, ribbon cuttings and other minor appearances.
Before he was elected lieutenant governor, Delgado was viewed as a rising star in the Democratic Party after ousting a Republican incumbent in an upstate New York congressional district in 2018.
He also launched a leadership PAC aimed at helping swing district Democrats win House seats.
However, New York Democrats are becoming increasingly concerned with polls showing Biden’s support slipping in a state he won by 23 points in the 2020 elections. New York is viewed as a battleground in the upcoming elections, with control of Congress in play. Two years ago, Republicans were able to reclaim a razor-thin majority in the House of Representatives largely due to several key Republican congressional victories in New York.
