By h. Nazan ışık—

25 May 2022—

“I have a partner once again, in this journey,”said Governor Kathy Hochul on Wednesday, 25 May at New York State Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado’s Swearing in ceremony. 

“I wanted a partner who understood the entirety of the state…..

“That it is not simply the focus of attention in one part of it. It is an entire state that deserves to be felt like they matter and showing up whether you’re the Lieutenant Governor or the Governor showing up proves that you’re a community that matters, you have worth, you are worth fighting for. And that is something I know that Antonio Delgado knows in his bones.”

“We’ve shared our views of what it means to be a public public servant. And it means being a good listener, but not just listening to people’s concerns passively, but translating those concerns into real action. That’s when public service manifests itself and achieves its full potential. That’s what drew both of us to this calling.

“I want to acknowledge the process that’s going to go on here, the swearing in, so I will step aside and welcome up everyone who’s involved. The judge, Judge Kevin Bryant, New York State Supreme Court from the Third Judicial District. The family,” she invited the judge and the Delgado family to the stages.

After swearing in, posing for family picture, Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado took the stage, thanked everybody; his wife, his parents, his  brothers, his sister, his aunts and uncles, his niece, his teachers, his church family, his basketball coach, cousins, and Judge Bryant.  

And, he thanked Governor Hochul : “ Thank you for your confidence in me, and for giving me this opportunity to lead and be a voice at such a critical time for our state and our country.”

Delgado said that the work, as the Governor talked about, starts with listening.

“You have to meet people where they are. You have to. It’s a must. And work hard, and find common ground, and be effective. That’s my commitment to New Yorkers. Whether you’re for me or against me. Whether you agree with me, or you don’t. I’m here to listen to you, to hear you out, to serve you. To make your lives and your family’s lives better  I know people are feeling pain. I know it (…) We have to right this ship and create more equity and access points to opportunity and care,” he promised.

Governor Hochul : “ I want to let you know, we have many roads to travel. (…..) But at the end of the day, the end of all of our days, when we look back on our lives and say (ask);

“Did my life make a difference? 

“Did I make life better for other people? 

“Did I make their roads just a little less bumpy?” 

And if you can answer yes to that, I would say that is a life well lived.”

“Antonio Delgado is living that life,” said Hochul.

“A partner ones again!”  Why does she need a “new partner”? 

On August 26, 2021, Governor Kathy Hochul appointed Brian Benjamin to the position of lieutenant governor of New York. 

Benjamin served as lieutenant governor from September 2021 to until his resignation on April 12, 2022 due to federal corruption charges. 

“I have accepted Brian Benjamin’s resignation effective immediately. While the legal process plays out, it is clear to both of us that he cannot continue to serve as Lieutenant Governor. New Yorkers deserve absolute confidence in their government, and I will continue working every day to deliver for them,” said Hochul in a statement on 12 April.

And now, Governor Hochul needs a “new partner’ upon the resignation of Lt. Governor Brian Benjamin.

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