Adrienne Adams selected as Gov. Kathy Hochul's running mate
Adams served as the New York City Council speaker before an unsuccessful run for mayor.
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday that former New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams as her running mate in her gubernatorial reelection bid, making this all-women governor and lieutenant governor ticket the first in New York's history.
The announcement on Wednesday came two days before the New York State Democratic Convention Friday in Syracuse, where Hochul and Adams are expected to get the party nomination.
"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 Wednesday.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman is expected to be the Republican nominee for New York governor. The state Republican convention takes place next week.
Adams served as council speaker before making a Democratic primary run for mayor in June, which Zohran Mamdani won and went on to being elected mayor in November.
"As NYC Council Speaker, I spent every day working to find common ground on affordable housing, child care, and lowering costs for New Yorkers struggling to get by. We made progress, but there’s more work to do – and with Governor Kathy Hochul’s leadership, we’re going to get it done together," Adams said in a statement.
If elected, Adams would be Hochul's third second in command since she took office.
Hochul will face a primary from Antonio Delgado, her current lieutenant governor.
Hochul served as the lieutenant governor to Andrew Cuomo and stepped into the governor role after Cuomo resigned under a sexual harassment scandal in 2021. She was elected in 2022 as New York's first female governor.
New York State Democratic Party Chairman Jay S. Jacobs released the following statement:
“Governor Hochul couldn’t have picked a better running mate than Adrienne Adams, a proud daughter of Southeast Queens who’s worked hard to lower costs for New Yorkers, protect their health care, and keep our communities safe. As Donald Trump and Bruce Blakeman spend every day attacking the state of New York, our ticket will be led by two moms who’ve spent their careers fighting for affordability – and with Governor Hochul and Adrienne Adams’ leadership this year, we’re going to build the movement necessary to take back the House and get Democrats elected up and down the ballot.”
