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New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced former New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams as her lieutenant governor Wednesday for the upcoming gubernatorial election.

This selection marks the first women-led ticket in New York state for a major party and only the fifth in U.S. history.

Hochul said Adams knows what it means to work hard and is grateful to build New York’s future with her.

“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,” Hochul said in a Wednesday press release. “Adrienne Adams is that fighter.”

Adams, a Queens native, formerly served as the New York City Council Speaker before entering the mayoral primary last year. During her four-year tenure as speaker, she focused on expanding affordable housing and investing in early childhood education.

The governor and Adams recently collaborated in 2022, where Adams unveiled a plan for building affordable housing units in New York City, complementary to Hochul’s plan to build 800,000 new units over the next decade.

Hochul’s previous running mate and current lieutenant governor, Antonio Delgado, announced his own campaign in June, establishing himself as Hochul’s Democratic challenger.

The governor’s selection comes days before the New York State Democratic Convention that will be held in Syracuse on Friday.

Adams said she is honored to stand with Hochul as she continues her fight for a safe, affordable and resilient New York.

“There’s too much on the line for us to let Donald Trump raise costs, rip away child care, and wage war on New York families – and Governor Hochul and I are ready for this fight,” Adams said in the release. “Let’s get to work.”

If elected, Adams would be the first Black woman to hold the position.

Published on February 4, 2026 at 10:11 pm