New York politics is never exactly "quiet," but the New York State governor primary in 2026 is shaping up to be a total brawl that basically nobody saw coming two years ago. Most people think these primaries are just a formality for incumbents. They're wrong. This time, the drama is coming from inside the house—literally.
Governor Kathy Hochul is currently sitting on a mountain of cash, but her approval ratings have been kind of shaky for a while. Usually, a Lieutenant Governor is like a shadow; they show up to ribbon cuttings and stay out of the way. Not Antonio Delgado. He decided to jump into the ring against his own boss, which is pretty much the political equivalent of a Thanksgiving dinner becoming a fistfight.
The Democratic Civil War: Hochul vs. Delgado
It’s rare to see a sitting Lieutenant Governor primary the Governor. Like, really rare. Delgado launched his campaign back in June 2025, and ever since, the vibes in Albany have been awkward at best. He’s running as the guy who can actually connect with people who feel forgotten by the "Albany machine."
Hochul isn't just sitting there, though. She just reported a $5.45 million fundraising haul for the last six months of 2025. That brings her total war chest to about $20 million. Money doesn't always buy love, but in a New York primary, it buys a lot of TV ads in expensive markets like NYC and Buffalo. Delgado has raised about $1.2 million in that same timeframe, so he's the definite underdog in the bank account department.
- Kathy Hochul: The incumbent. She’s leaning hard into "affordability" and universal childcare. She’s trying to prove she’s the steady hand, especially when dealing with the new Mayor of NYC, Zohran Mamdani.
- Antonio Delgado: The challenger. He’s betting that voters are tired of the status quo and want someone who wasn't part of the Cuomo era.
Honestly, the polling is weird. A Siena College poll from late 2025 showed that while most voters aren't exactly "in love" with Hochul, they aren't quite ready to jump ship to Delgado yet. He’s trailing by double digits, but there’s a massive chunk of "undecided" voters who could flip the script if the economy doesn't start feeling better for the average person.
The Republican Side: Life After Stefanik
For a minute there, it looked like Elise Stefanik was going to be the GOP powerhouse. She’s a massive Trump ally and had the name recognition to make it a real fight. But then, in a classic political twist, she dropped out in December 2025. She said it was for family reasons, but it basically cleared the runway for one man.
Bruce Blakeman.
The Nassau County Executive is now the frontrunner for the Republican nomination. If you haven't heard of him, he’s basically built his reputation on being the "anti-woke" suburban warrior. He’s been endorsed by Donald Trump, which is basically the golden ticket in a Republican primary these days. He’s positioning himself as the guy who can save New York from becoming a "communist wasteland," which is a bit dramatic, but it plays well with his base.
Wait, what about the actual dates? If you’re planning to vote (and you should), here is the breakdown:
- Filing Deadline: April 6, 2026. This is the last day for anyone else to jump in.
- Early Voting: June 13 – June 21, 2026.
- Primary Day: June 23, 2026. Mark your calendar.
What’s Actually Driving the Vote?
It isn't just about personalities. New York is facing some massive hurdles that the candidates are trying to tackle—or at least pretend they can fix.
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The Cost of Living Housing in New York is a nightmare. It doesn't matter if you're in Queens or Kingston. Hochul is pushing a $1.7 billion childcare expansion to help families, but Blakeman and Delgado are both hammering her on the "migrant crisis" and general inflation.
The "Mamdani Factor" The new NYC Mayor, Zohran Mamdani, is a democratic socialist. This has created a weird dynamic. Republican candidates are trying to tie Hochul to Mamdani’s "tax the rich" policies, while progressives are mad at Hochul for not being more like Mamdani. She’s stuck in the middle, and in politics, the middle is a lonely place to be.
Public Safety Shootings might be down in NYC, but the "perception" of crime is still a huge deal. Expect a lot of scary-looking ads about bail reform during the June primary season.
How to Prepare for June 23
The New York State governor primary is a "closed" primary. This means if you want to vote for Hochul or Delgado, you have to be a registered Democrat. If you want to vote for Blakeman, you have to be a registered Republican. Independent voters are basically stuck on the sidelines until the general election in November.
Check Your Status
You should probably check your registration today. You can do that on the NYS Board of Elections website. The deadline to change your party affiliation has already passed for this cycle, but you can still register as a new voter if you haven't yet.
Research the "Down-Ballot"
Remember, you aren't just voting for Governor. You're also voting for Lieutenant Governor separately in the primary. It’s possible to end up with a "forced marriage" where the Governor nominee and Lieutenant Governor nominee actually hate each other. This happened back in the day and it makes for a very messy four years.
Watch the Debates
Keep an eye out for the televised debates in May. That’s usually when the "nice" facade drops and the real attacks start flying. Since Delgado and Hochul have to work together in the meantime, those debates are going to be incredibly tense.
If you’re a New Yorker, don’t sleep on this. Primaries are usually where the real decisions are made in this state. By the time November rolls around, the "Solid Democratic" lean of the state often makes the general election feel like a foregone conclusion. June is where you actually have a say in the direction of the party—and the state.
Next Steps for New York Voters:
- Verify your registration at the NYS Board of Elections portal to ensure you are eligible for the June 23 primary.
- Review the candidates' specific housing plans, as this is the issue most likely to impact your wallet over the next four years.
- Locate your early voting site, as these are often different from your regular Primary Day polling place.