New Lt, Governor – Same Old Same Old by Tom Reynolds
Governor Kathy Hochul announced Tuesday that she had picked U.S. Representative Antonio Delgado to be New York’s lieutenant governor, replacing former second-in-command Brian Benjamin after his resignation. Hochul said, “I am proud to appoint Antonio Delgado…as lieutenant governor of New York, and I look forward to working with him…”
Delgado is a Harvard Law School grad who represents the Hudson Valley in Congress. The head of the New York State Democratic Party was asked if Delgado was picked because Empire State Democrats feared he would lose his reelection bid, Jacobs responded, “No, no. Absolutely not.”
A source familiar with Hochul’s selection process told The NY Post “she wanted to select a Latino in order to give the Latino base a statewide elected official — something they had been asking for.”
On Monday, Democrat majority state lawmakers passed legislation allowing candidates indicted for a crime to withdraw their name from the ballot. Hochul immediately signed the bill into law, which also allows Democrats to name a new candidate for lieutenant governor. The previous Lieutenant Governor, Brian Benjamin, who also had been appointed by Hochul, had recently been indicted on five federal criminal charges.
Assembly Minority leader Will Barclay said of this appointment, “Just yesterday, Assembly Democrats rejected a Republican proposal to require a majority vote of the Legislature to fill a vacancy for lieutenant governor – the same process necessary to fill vacancies for state Comptroller and Attorney General, and similar to the Congressional procedure to fill a vacancy for Vice President…”
“Rep. Delgado will now hold the second-highest office in New York without being elected to the position or requiring any approval from the Legislature.”
Concerning the 2nd Amendment and law enforcement, On the Issues reports:
Delgado supports the survey question, 'Guns: Do you generally support gun-control legislation?'
Delgado co-sponsored George Floyd Justice in Policing Act which addressed policing practices and law enforcement accountability. Specifically, it limited qualified immunity as a defense to liability in a private civil action against a law enforcement officer.
Delgado’s own web site contains the following two reports on Delgado’s approach to the 2nd Amendment:
On, March 11, 2021: “Today, U.S. Representative Antonio Delgado (NY-19) voted to pass the Bipartisan Background Checks Act and the Enhanced Background Checks Act.”
SCOPE Note: The Bipartisan Background Checks Act would require a background check for almost every gun sale or transfer. The Enhanced Background Checks Act would address the so-called "Charleston Loophole," which currently allows the sale of a firearm to proceed if a background check is not completed within three business days.
Delgado was quoted as saying, "Gun violence is a public health and safety crisis that has plagued our communities for far too long…"
On September 11, 2019: “U.S. Rep. Antonio Delgado blasted Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for his steadfast refusal to allow any gun-control measures to the Senate floor.”
“He also accused President Donald Trump of caving to the gun lobby on background checks.”
"’It's naked corruption,’ the freshman congressman said…”.
"This feels like money and special interests and gun companies being able to dictate to Mitch McConnell how to proceed."
The names may change but the policies in Albany won’t change without real change with the November election.
