New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said it appears Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado is not content in his role after he abruptly announced Monday he would not be seeking reelection alongside her in 2026.

“It is clear to me that he’s not happy being in the role of lieutenant governor, but I wish him well in whatever he chooses to do,” Hochul told reporters Tuesday in Albany in her first public remarks since Delgado’s announcement.

Hochul did not answer when asked if she thought Delgado should step down now so she could appoint another lieutenant before elections next year. While announcing on X on Monday that he would not seek another term as Hochul’s second in command, Delgado also said he is committed to finishing out his term.

A spokesperson for the governor’s office said in a blistering statement Monday that Delgado “is simply not interested in doing the job” and that Hochul “had already begun taking steps to identify a new running mate for 2026.”

Should Delgado remain in office, that would result in an "open" contest for lieutenant governor. Gubernatorial candidates often have their preferences, but in New York, lieutenant governors run separately in primary elections before joining with their running mates on the ballot in the general election.

Delgado’s position may change if he were to run for governor himself, which has been speculated for some time now. Delgado has made no such signal this is his intention, but in his statement Monday, he said “I am determined to be your voice in state government now and in the future. All options are on the table, and I will be exploring them.”

Hochul has already had two lieutenants in her brief tenure as governor. Her first choice, former state Sen. Brian Benjamin, resigned just months into the job after being indicted on corruption charges which were recently dropped.