New York lawmakers have scrapped separate primary elections for lieutenant governor, ensuring future candidates for the role will run on a unified ticket with gubernatorial hopefuls, according to Spectrum News.
The move, passed as part of the new state budget, aims to avoid political mismatches like Gov. Kathy Hochul’s past partnerships—one of which ended in scandal, another in public discord. Hochul endorsed the change, comparing it to the U.S. system for president and vice president.
Critics argue the new rule limits independence, with former Lt. Gov. Betsy McCaughey warning it strips the position of its individual mandate and turns it into a subordinate role.
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