Lt. Governor Antonio Delgado has selected India Walton, a Buffalo-based democratic socialist, as his running mate in his primary challenge against New York Governor Kathy Hochul, aiming to strengthen his appeal among progressive voters.
Walton, a registered nurse who gained national attention during her 2021 run for Buffalo mayor, will join Delgado on the Democratic ticket as he seeks to unseat the incumbent governor. Walton was 38 at the time of her mayoral campaign. Delgado, who was appointed Lieutenant Governor in 2022 following the resignation of Brian Benjamin, is positioning his campaign as a left-leaning alternative to Hochul, a moderate Democrat.
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Walton rose to prominence after defeating longtime Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown in the Democratic primary, an upset that was widely viewed as a signal of growing progressive influence within the party. Brown later reclaimed the office through a write-in campaign in the general election. Walton went on to lose a subsequent bid for a seat on the Buffalo Common Council.
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Delgado’s selection reflects his effort to consolidate support from progressive groups such as the Working Families Party and the Democratic Socialists of America, both of which backed Walton in previous campaigns. In announcing the partnership, Walton emphasized policy priorities including raising taxes on the wealthy, expanding health care access, and strengthening protections for immigrants without legal status. “New Yorkers deserve leadership that puts them first,” she stated.
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Despite the move, Delgado remains a long-shot candidate. A Siena University poll shows Hochul leading 64% to Delgado’s 11%. Few elected officials have publicly endorsed Delgado, and fundraising has not yet translated into measurable momentum.
Hochul has not announced her running mate ahead of the Democratic state convention in Syracuse, leaving the field open as the party heads into the 2026 primary season.
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