
NEW YORK — Governor Kathy Hochul has announced that Adrienne Adams, the former New York City Council Speaker, will join her on the ballot. Adrienne Adams previously held the position of New York City Council Speaker. This announcement is for this year. She will be running for the position of lieutenant governor. Adams, a lifelong Queens resident and mother, is known for her focus on housing, public safety, and family advocacy.
The selection comes ahead of the state Democratic Party delegates officially choosing Hochul as their gubernatorial candidate next week.
In a statement, Governor Hochul said, “Adrienne Adams knows what it means to work hard. She stands up for those who need it most. As New York City Council Speaker, she led the charge to protect families. She worked to make housing more affordable. She invested in our children. She stood up to anyone who sought to harm our city. Adrienne is a fighter. Together, we will continue to invest in public safety. We will reduce costs. We will make New York a place where all families can thrive.”

Adams will become Hochul’s third lieutenant governor in five years. He responded, “I am honored to stand side by side with Governor Kathy Hochul. She is fighting for a safe, affordable, and resilient New York. With her leadership, we will continue to address the challenges families face every day. These include affordable housing and child care. We are also focused on reducing the cost of living for all New Yorkers.”
The announcement comes amid a politically charged climate. Hochul is facing a primary challenge from her current lieutenant governor, Antonio Delgado. Hochul’s previous lieutenant, Brian Benjamin, resigned following a federal indictment.
Adams’ experience in city government makes her a prominent voice on the campaign trail. Her focus on equity and advocacy is significant, particularly in Queens and across communities affected by housing and cost-of-living challenges.
By Jarvus Ricardo Hester
This story expands in a long-form feature explore Mood Magazine online.
Subscribers get full access. Start your 7-day free trial.
Listen to the extended audio feature with cultural context, music analysis, and discussion of the series’ lasting impact. Streaming now on the Mood Radio front page.
Follow the Voices in The Poets
The Poets is our upcoming show centering writers, spoken word artists, and storytellers shaping culture in real time. Discover new voices, submit your work, and follow the launch.
Mood is reader- and listener-supported. Subscribe to sustain the work. Volunteer to help build what’s next. Share stories that matter. However you join, you belong here.
