Antonio Delgado sworn in as New York lieutenant governor: 'What we need is public servants'

New York welcomed its third lieutenant governor in the span of a year Wednesday as former Rep. Antonio Delgado was sworn in to serve in Gov. Kathy Hochul’s administration.

Delgado, a Democrat from Rhinebeck, previously represented the state’s 19th congressional District in the Hudson Valley and Central New York. He won that district in a hotly contested 2018 race, which ended with Delgado unseating incumbent Republican John Faso.

He fought on a number of fronts as a member of Congress, including agriculture and farming, small business, broadband internet access and veteran rights. He has family roots in the West African nation of Cape Verde, and identifies as Afro-Latino.

He’s been a reliable, moderate Democratic politician with particular flairs for fundraising and winning races, as he did again in the 19th district in 2020.

"There are so many exquisite parts of our state that need to feel they matter, and that is why I wanted a partner who understood the entirety of this state," Hochul said Wednesday.

Delgado, 45, was tapped to be Gov. Kathy Hochul’s second-in-command earlier this month following the abrupt resignation of her former lieutenant governor, Brian Benjamin. Benjamin was arrested in April on bribery charges related to a past campaign.

That transition followed a rockier one last summer, in which Hochul, then lieutenant governor herself, was thrust into the governor’s role after former Gov. Andrew Cuomo resigned amid sexual harassment allegations.

Delgado was raised in Schenectady, by parents who instilled in him a work ethic and values anchored in faith, education and community, he said Wednesday following his swearing-in ceremony.

As an adult, he spent a brief time as a hip-hop artist after law school, and then moved to Manhattan to work at a law firm.

“It’s that diversity of experience that led me to want to serve in a time when we desperately need people who know how to bridge divides,” Delgado said Wednesday. "As leaders we need to listen, and find common ground and be effective. That’s my promise to New Yorkers, whether you agree with me or you don’t."

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In his first speech as lieutenant governor, Delgado made an impassioned plea to national lawmakers to tighten gun laws after a pair of mass shootings in Buffalo and Texas left more than two dozen people dead in recent days. He vowed to serve New Yorkers as lieutenant governor in a way that would prioritize their needs, not political aims.

“We have enough politicians — we really do. What we need is public servants. Our children’s lives are on the line. The legitimacy of our democracy and the very fabric of our nation is on the line,” he said.

Delgado will join Hochul on the June 28 primary ballot, in which he’ll face two challengers for his brand-new role.

Diana Reyna and Ana María Archila are running for the seat in connection with Rep. Tom Suozzi and New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, respectively, both of whom are running against Hochul for governor.

In becoming lieutenant governor, Delgado will vacate his seat in New York’s 19th Congressional district, which now stretches from the Hudson Valley to the Finger Lakes, thanks to newly released redistricting maps that reshuffled a number of congressional seats statewide.

Once that happens, the state will hold a special election within 70 to 80 days, Hochul said earlier this month.

She announced Monday that the special election will take place on Aug. 23, to coincide with the congressional and Senate primaries, which were delayed by the state’s redrawing of the redistricting maps.

Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro, a Republican, and Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan, a Democrat, have indicated their participation in the special election to serve the remainder of Delgado’s term.

"It has been an honor to serve in Congress, delivering results and fighting for the constituents of the 19th District,” Delgado said in a statement Monday.  “Now, I am ready to put my years of experience and ability to connect people to work for the entire State of New York.”

Sarah Taddeo is the New York State Team Editor for the USA Today Network. Got a story tip or comment? Contact Sarah at STADDEO@Gannett.com or on Twitter @Sjtaddeo. This coverage is only possible with support from our readers. Please consider becoming a digital subscriber.

This article originally appeared on New York State Team: New York Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado sworn in