In six months, Kathy Hochul has gone from New York’s little-known lieutenant governor to an incumbent who is set to be embraced by most of her party’s leaders at their state convention Thursday.

While Kathy Hochul is facing two Democratic challengers, you may not know it at her party’s convention, where she’s set to get more than 50% of the delegates’ vote.

The governor says she’s not taking anything for granted. 

What You Need To Know

  • Democrats are holding their state convention, which will include the official nomination of candidates for the ballot

  • Gov. Hochul is expected receive more than 50% of the weighted vote, making her the party’s designee

  • Hochul is facing challenges from Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and Congressman Tom Suozzi, both of whom are looking for 25% of the committee’s vote which would guarantee them a spot on the ballot

"I run like an underdog until it's over,” Hochul said Wednesday. “So I will continue focusing on delivering our message to New Yorkers, how we're fighting for them, how we have strong policies that result in social justice initiatives, which are important, but also help people get jobs, help them get through this pandemic."

Hochul faces a challenge from New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, who is running to her left, and Democratic Congressman Tom Suozzi, who is running to her right. Both would have to get 25% of the weighted vote by delegates to appear on the ballot. 

“I am not sure if Tom Suozzi’s name is going to go into nomination,” Democratic State Chair Jay Jacobs said. “Jumaane’s will. Jumaane has a shot at getting the 25% you need as a minimum threshold to get in the ballot. I don’t believe Tom Suozzi is going to get close if he does get nominated.”

Suozzi would still have the option of gathering signatures to get onto the ballot, should he fail to meet the minimum threshold of votes.

In Brooklyn on Thursday morning, Suozzi announced his running mate, former City Council Member Diana Reyna.  

“Today, I am introducing my running mate who is running for lieutenant governor of the state of New Yorke”. Let’s hear it for Diana Reyna!” Suozzi said.

“This is a great honor,” Reyna said. “This is an opportunity for us to partner together to get New York back on track.”

Last year, Jacobs endorsed Hochul, which raised eyebrows among some Democrats who believe the chair should stay neutral before the primary. 

Williams says that will not stop him from seeking the nomination or running his insurgent campaign. 

“That 100%, 1,000% is the case, has always been the case, Williams said. “We do try and operate in the system that we have. When you have the party chair already having made an endorsement in a primary where they shouldn’t be endorsing, it gives the biggest signal you can get that the apparatus is there to support the incumbent.”

Williams says he may forgo choosing a running mate before the primary, although he is currently vetting candidates. 

Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin, Hochul’s running mate, is favored to win the official party backing.