Latino Leaders Will Seek More Power in New York

As Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado exits, advocates push to grow Latino political representation across the state.

Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Hispanic

Latino Leaders Will Seek More Power in New York

Live Poll

Do you believe your community is effectively represented by its current elected officials?

Following the news that Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado will leave office at the end of 2026, New York Latino leaders are intensifying efforts to secure more statewide and municipal representation. Despite having the fourth-largest Latino population in the U.S., no Latino or Latina has held a statewide office or the mayoralty of New York City.

Why it matters

Advocates argue that Latino community needs remain unmet because the demographic lacks a sufficient seat at the political table. With Latinos now representing more than one out of every eight voters in the state, leaders are pushing for structural changes to increase representation.

Latino voter turnout grew 44% between 2004 and 2020, even as no Latino or Latina has ever held a statewide office in New York. Currently, the state has five members of Congress with Latino or Hispanic heritage.

The players

Antonio Delgado

He is the first lieutenant governor of New York with Latino roots and will leave office at the end of 2026.

Jonathan Rivera

He became the first Latino Assemblymember from upstate and western New York in 2021 and is expected to become a State Senator.

Gabriella Romero

She serves as an Assemblymember representing the Albany area.

Joseph Hernandez

He is the only current candidate for statewide office in New York with Latino heritage.

The details

Assemblymembers Jonathan Rivera and Gabriella Romero are among those leading efforts to increase minority presence in government, including a push for separate judicial districts in Erie, Monroe, and Onondaga Counties. Rivera, who became the first Latino Assemblymember from upstate and western New York in 2021, is currently running unopposed for State Senator.

Latino turnout in New York rose by 44% from 2004 to 2020.
Jonathan Rivera began his term as Assemblymember in 2021.
Hispanic Heritage Month occurs in September 2026.
Jonathan Rivera will run for State Senator in November 2026.
Antonio Delgado will leave office at the end of 2026.

Culture Shift

This push for political equity follows the path set by the 2021 election of Jonathan Rivera as the first Latino Assemblymember from upstate New York. It signals a move toward greater integration of minority leaders into executive and judicial roles across the state.

Residents in Erie, Monroe, and Onondaga Counties may see new judicial district boundaries proposed to improve minority representation. Voters across the state can expect a more concentrated focus on Latino political priorities leading up to the 2026 election cycle.

The takeaway

The departure of a high-profile Latino official marks a critical moment for organizers to demand broader representation. Future electoral success will likely depend on the ability of leaders to mobilize a growing demographic that already comprises one out of every eight voters.

What happens next

Jonathan Rivera is set to run for State Senator in November 2026, while Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado is scheduled to leave office on December 31, 2026.