NYS Democrats back Hochul as she pursues second full term as governor

SYRACUSE — Gov. Kathy Hochul won the Democratic Party’s formal backing Friday as she seeks reelection in a race that could pit her against Republican Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman.

After becoming the party’s designee with 85% of the votes, Hochul quickly took aim at President Donald Trump and Blakeman.

"We don't put up with crap, we don't cave, we don't surrender," Hochul said. "And here's my final message. Anyone who dares stand in our way, here’s your warning: Whether you're in Washington or Nassau County, you don't want to mess with the badass women of New York."

Hochul, 67, is running for her second term, this time with former New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams as her lieutenant governor running mate. Current Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado is challenging Hochul and received just under 15% of the votes.

Democrats who convened in Syracuse for the one-day event had earlier chosen incumbents Letitia James as their pick for attorney general and Long Island native Thomas P. DiNapoli for comptroller.

Hundreds of Democrats packed the Oncenter Carrier Theater for the occasion.

Delegates and nominees heatedly denounced the actions of the Trump administration, particularly funding cuts to safety net programs, efforts to block infrastructure projects including the Gateway Tunnel under the Hudson River and mass deportation efforts.

Immigration was the main topic of the day. The party unanimously passed a resolution calling for a "comprehensive restructuring" of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to a model that "safeguards human rights and due process."

State Democrats stressed the importance of boosting New York’s Democratic congressional candidates as well.

"That blue wave to take back America starts here in New York," DiNapoli said.

Challenge from Delgado

Delgado, 49, Hochul’s former ally and now-estranged lieutenant governor, is mounting a challenge from her political left flank but did not receive enough votes to be a party designee.

Delgado attended Friday’s convention and received a nomination, and he told reporters he plans to petition to be on the ballot. Candidates who don’t receive 25% of the delegates' vote must file a petition with 15,000 signatures to get on the ballot.

The winner of the June primary for governor would face Blakeman, who is running for governor and is expected to receive his party’s designation at the Republican convention on Long Island next week. Democrats have a more than 2-to-1 enrollment advantage in New York.

Blakeman blasted Hochul in a statement Friday. "New Yorkers should brace for even higher taxes, soaring electric bills, and weaker public safety," Blakeman said. "Families can’t afford four more years of this — which is why I’m running for governor to restore affordability and common sense."

Formerly the state’s lieutenant governor, Hochul moved up after Gov. Andrew Cuomo resigned in 2021.

In her time as governor, the Buffalo native has pushed to protect reproductive rights, strengthen gun safety laws and ban the use of cellphones in schools. The state's first female governor, Hochul refers to herself as the first mom governor.

She recently pushed back on Trump's mass deportation immigration agenda, calling for legislation to protect New Yorkers and immigrant communities from ICE.

Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-Manhattan) nominated Hochul and described how she became governor during the COVID-19 pandemic and immediately "stepped up to the plate."

"This is a moment to come together, to come together as a state," Espaillat said. "The person that can bring us all together, New York State, a very diverse state, is no other than Gov. Kathy Hochul."

'The moment to fight'

DiNapoli, 71 of Great Neck Plaza, received the party’s designation for comptroller over three challengers: former congressional candidate Adem T. Bunkeddeko, former Kansas state lawmaker Raj Goyle and Drew Warshaw, a former executive of an affordable housing nonprofit.

DiNapoli was appointed comptroller in 2007 and then elected by voters to serve four consecutive four-year terms.

"Even though I grew up in a good, Long Island Republican family — we’re going to win on Long Island by the way ... I chose to be a Democrat," DiNapoli said. "Now is the moment to fight the Trump agenda that is undermining our democracy by denying election results, attacking the press and brutalizing our immigrant communities. We have to fight against that every step of the way."

Warshaw, 44, of Manhattan, was the only other candidate to be nominated, but did not receive enough votes to be on the ballot and plans to petition. DiNapoli received 90% of the vote, while Warshaw received 10%.

Warshaw most recently was the chief operating officer and then co-chief executive officer of Enterprise Community Partners for five years before stepping down to run for comptroller.

Goyle and Bunkeddeko did not receive a nomination, but also said they plan to petition.

Republican Joseph Hernandez, a former New York City mayoral candidate and biotech entrepreneur, is seeking his party's nomination to run for comptroller.

Unopposed for AG

James, 67, of Brooklyn, ran unopposed for the party designation.

She has been attorney general since 2018 and is the first woman of color to serve in the position.

Former federal prosecutor Saritha Komatireddy and attorney Khurram Dara are seeking the Republican nomination for state attorney general.

James quoted the late Hazel Dukes, president of the NAACP New York State Conference, saying, "With every breath in my body, I will continue advocating to do the work necessary to stop those trying to turn back the hand of time. It is that message that is part of my spirit, that’s part of who I am, and I will do everything in my power as your attorney general to stop them from turning back the clock of progress."