Democratic Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado on Wednesday was formally endorsed by two major labor unions in New York ahead of his appearance in a Spectrum News 1/NY1 debate later Wednesday.

Delgado was endorsed by SEIU 32BJ and the Hotel Trades Council, two active labor organizations in New York politics. Delgado is running for a full term this year after he was selected in April to replace the under-indictment former Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin. 

“With our state still recovering from COVID and the difficult economic challenges that lie ahead, the stakes for this year’s elections are sky high for our members and all New Yorkers. We need someone like Antonio Delgado fighting for working people as our lieutenant governor, and know that together with Gov. Kathy Hochul, we will have the right leaders to ensure that a worker-led recovery continues and grows,” Kyle Bragg and Rich Maroko, presidents of SEIU 32BJ and HTC, said in a joint statement.

Delgado faces activist Ana Maria Archila and former New York City Councilwoman Diana Reyna in the June 28 primary. Early voting is set to begin on Saturday for the statewide and state Assembly primaries. 

“Now more than ever, working families need partners at the state level that will have their back as we get back on our feet,” Delgado said. “As lieutenant governor, I am committed to being a partner to HTC and 32BJ in the battle to make sure that every single worker is treated with fairness, dignity, and respect.”