Hochul Selects Adams as 2026 LG Running Mate

New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced on Wednesday that she has selected former New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams as her running mate for lieutenant governor in the 2026 Democratic ticket, forming the state's first all-female gubernatorial pairing. The move comes as Hochul prepares for the Democratic nominating convention in Syracuse on Friday and anticipates an endorsement from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, bolstering her reelection bid amid strong polling leads over challengers.

Hochul, a moderate Democrat seeking a third term, chose Adams, a 67-year-old Queens native and daughter of union workers, to appeal to working-class and minority voters in New York City. Adams, who served two terms on the City Council representing southeast Queens before becoming speaker in 2022, left office at the end of 2025 due to term limits. She entered last year's mayoral race but placed fourth in the Democratic primary, which Mamdani won. "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. The governor highlighted Adams's record on housing, public safety, and education, adding that the pair...