Antonio Delgado

Antonio Delgado is an American attorney and politician who served as the U.S. Representative for New York's 19th congressional district from 2019 until 2022. A member of the Democratic Party, he made history as the first African American and the first person of Latino descent to be elected to Congress from Upstate New York. Following his congressional tenure, Delgado was appointed as the lieutenant governor of New York in May 2022, marking another milestone as the first Latino to hold statewide office in the state.

Early life and career

Antonio Ramon Delgado was born on January 28, 1977, in Schenectady, New York, to parents Tony Delgado and Thelma P. Hill. He is of African American descent and has Cape Verdean and Latino ancestry. Growing up in the Hamilton Hill neighborhood of Schenectady, Delgado was the eldest of four brothers. His early life was characterized by a strong focus on education and athletics, particularly basketball, which he played during his time at Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons High School. His performance on the court earned him recognition, as he was named to The Daily Gazette's all-area second team in his senior year.

Delgado continued his education at Colgate University, where he not only pursued academic studies but also played for the Colgate Raiders men's basketball team. Among his teammates was future NBA player Adonal Foyle. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1999 and subsequently earned a Rhodes Scholarship, allowing him to study at The Queen's College, Oxford, where he received a Master of Arts in 2001. Following his time in the United Kingdom, Delgado attended Harvard Law School, where he earned his Juris Doctor in 2005.

After completing his legal education, Delgado relocated to Los Angeles, where he initially worked in the music industry. In 2007, he released a socially conscious rap album under the stage name "AD the Voice." Following his foray into music, he transitioned to a legal career, serving as a litigator at the New York office of the law firm Akin Gump.

House tenure

Delgado's political career began to take shape when he decided to run for the United States House of Representatives in 2018, seeking to represent New York's 19th congressional district. In the Democratic primary, he faced six other candidates and emerged victorious, positioning himself for the general election against incumbent Republican John Faso. During the campaign, Delgado criticized Faso for his opposition to the Affordable Care Act, while Faso and his supporters targeted Delgado's past rap lyrics, framing them as controversial. The New York Times editorial board condemned these attacks as racially charged and misleading.

Delgado won the general election held on November 6, 2018, with a total of 132,001 votes, defeating Faso, who garnered 124,408 votes. He was sworn into office on January 3, 2019. In the 2020 election cycle, Delgado ran for a second term and faced no opposition in the Democratic primary. He successfully defeated Republican nominee Kyle Van De Water in the general election, receiving 192,100 votes compared to Van De Water's 151,475.

During his time in the House of Representatives, Delgado distinguished himself by being the first individual of African American or Latino heritage elected to Congress from Upstate New York. He was active in legislative matters, with 18 of his proposed bills being signed into law. His legislative accomplishments included measures such as the Small Business Relief Accessibility Act and the Strengthening Financial Aid for Students Act. Delgado also voted to impeach President Donald Trump on two occasions, once in 2019 and again in 2021. Notably, during the first 100 days of President Joe Biden's administration, Delgado aligned his votes with Biden's stated positions consistently.

Delgado's tenure in the House concluded on May 25, 2022, when he resigned to assume the role of lieutenant governor of New York.

Legislative focus and committees

Throughout his congressional career, Delgado served on several committees, which shaped his legislative focus and priorities. He was a member of the Committee on Agriculture, where he participated in subcommittees addressing biotechnology, horticulture, research, commodity exchanges, energy, and credit. Additionally, he served on the Committee on Small Business, contributing to discussions on economic growth, tax, and capital access.

Delgado was also involved with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, where he engaged in subcommittees that focused on highways, transit, and water resources and the environment. His work on these committees reflected a commitment to addressing a range of issues pertinent to his constituents, including economic development, infrastructure improvements, and support for small businesses.

Following his departure from the House, Delgado transitioned to the role of lieutenant governor of New York, appointed by Governor Kathy Hochul on May 3, 2022. His appointment came after the resignation of the previous lieutenant governor amid a corruption scandal. Delgado's election to a full term as lieutenant governor further solidified his position in New York politics, as he became the first Latino to hold statewide office in the state.

In summary, Antonio Delgado's career has been marked by significant milestones, including his historic election to Congress and his subsequent appointment as lieutenant governor. His legislative work and committee assignments reflect a focus on economic and social issues, underscoring his commitment to serving the diverse needs of his constituents in New York.