access and force a primary election; however, both candidates were "expected to work the alternate method of gathering the 15,000 signatures to get on the ballot for the June primary". Although the candidates for governor and lieutenant governor are nominated separately, those running for governor may choose to endorse a candidate for lieutenant governor as their unofficial running mate; currently, all three have done so (Hochul had previously chosen Brian Benjamin, but switched to Antonio Delgado after Benjamin's arrest). Hochul won the primary by a large margin. Governor Candidates Nominee Kathy Hochul, incumbent Governor of New York (2021–present) (running with Antonio Delgado) Lost in primary Thomas Suozzi, U.S. Representative for (2017–2023) and candidate in 2006 (running with Diana Reyna) Jumaane Williams, New York City Public Advocate (2019–present); candidate for lieutenant governor in 2018 (running with Ana María Archila) Disqualified Paul Nichols, lawyer and legislative staffer (running with David Englert) Withdrew Andrew Cuomo, former Governor of New York (2011–2021) Letitia James, Attorney General of New York (2019–present) (running for re-election) Declined Charles Barron, New York City Councilmember from the 42nd district (2002–2013, 2021–present); state assembly member from the 60th district (2015–present) Bill de Blasio, mayor of New York City (2014–2021); candidate for president of the United States in 2020 Thomas DiNapoli, New York State Comptroller (2007–present) (running for re-election) Kirsten Gillibrand, U.S. Senator from New York (2009–present); candidate for president of the United States in 2020 (endorsed Hochul) Svante Myrick, mayor of Ithaca (2012–2022) Cynthia Nixon, actress, activist and candidate for governor of New York in 2018 Christine Quinn, Speaker of the New York City Council (2006–2013) Jessica Ramos, state senator from the 13th district (2019–present) Kathleen Rice, U.S. representative for NY-04 (2015–present) (endorsed Hochul) Al Sharpton, civil rights activist Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Majority Leader of the New York State Senate (2019–present); state senator from the 35th district (2007–present) (endorsed Hochul) (running for reelection) Endorsements Debates Polling Graphical summary Results Lieutenant Governor On April 12, 2022, incumbent lieutenant governor Brian Benjamin resigned from office after being arrested for campaign finance violations. Despite this, he did not officially withdraw from the race, so under the laws of the time, he could only be removed if he moved out of New York, ran for a different office, or died. On May 3, 2022, Hochul announced her intent to appoint Representative Antonio Delgado to the position of lieutenant governor after a bill passed the New