Griffo advocates for lieutenant governor legislation
April 8, 2025
Following a report that Gov. Kathy Hochul would like to change how governors and lieutenant governors run in separate primaries and recent developments concerning the lieutenant governor’s role and structure, state Sen. Joseph Griffo, R-C-Rome, is advocating for legislation he has sponsored for a number of years that would reform aspects of the lieutenant governor’s office and bring about a more orderly and better transition process.
Sen. Griffo has advanced legislation that would:
- Change Election Law to require that candidates for governor and lieutenant governor run together as a slate in a primary election, as is currently required in a general election. The present statute allows for the prospect of incompatible candidates being forced to run and serve together in office (S.1581).
- Remove the constitutional provision that the lieutenant governor shall act as governor whenever the governor is absent from the state (S.1585/A.3377).
- Provide a method for filling a vacancy in the office of lieutenant governor. The governor would nominate a new lieutenant governor within 30 days of the vacancy, and the Senate and Assembly would confirm or reject that individual through independent votes in each house. This bill would enact a system identical to the one used under the Federal Constitution to fill a vacancy in the office of the Vice-President (S.1590/A.4946).
“With Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado's decision not to run for reelection on the governor's ticket in 2026, Albany has a great opportunity to reform state government for the better by updating antiquated and archaic state laws concerning the lieutenant governor’s office,” Sen. Griffo said. “During my tenure in the Senate, I have sought commonsense changes that would improve the electoral process and the way state government functions. This includes my lieutenant governor legislation that provides for real and necessary changes that would modernize our state's laws and bring them into greater conformity with the U.S. Constitution and will potentially prevent incompatible candidates from being forced to run and serve together in office.”
A companion bill to S.1581 will be introduced by Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, D-Rotterdam. Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon, D-Marcy, has sponsored companion bills to S.1585 and S.1590.
“New Yorkers deserve leadership teams that can govern with unity and purpose from day one,” Assemblyman Santabarbara said. “By requiring candidates for governor and lieutenant governor to run as a ticket in primaries, this legislation ensures voters are choosing partnerships built on shared vision — not political convenience. It’s a commonsense reform that brings stability to our executive branch and transparency to the process.”
“Years ago, a vacancy in the Office of Lieutenant Governor prompted the introduction of this legislation," Assemblywoman Buttenschon said. “I sponsor this legislation in the Assembly, as it now appears we may once again be faced with the same need.”
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