New York City
Brisport ‘asked to leave the stage’ at Hochul event after endorsing Antonio Delgado
Gov. Kathy Hochul knows a picture is forever.
A gajillion electeds, not one who endorsed Antonio Delgado. Susan Watts/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul
What are the consequences of endorsing Gov. Kathy Hochul’s primary opponent? After he backed Antonio Delgado, state Sen. Jabari Brisport said he received anxious outreach from allies: Why would he risk his legislative agenda by angering the governor right at the start of session?
That so far hasn’t come to pass. One of Brisport’s legislative priorities, the expansion of child care, was announced just days after the democratic socialist endorsed the governor’s opponent. But the governor did make it clear she was pissed.
After he endorsed Delgado on Jan. 5, Hochul excluded Brisport from the guest list for her marquee announcement celebrating the statewide expansion of subsidized child care on Jan. 8.
Brisport, who has prioritized child care policy as chair of the state Senate Committee on Children and Families, was able to get on the list via Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s team. But then he was edged out again.
“I was asked to leave the stage at the announcement because of the Delgado endorsement,” Brisport said. “They didn't want me in the frame for the photos and everything. But, you know, a win’s a win. And as long as parents are getting child care.”
Indeed, Brisport is not among the legion elected officials in the photos from the event. He says he is backing Delgado because he wants an ally in the executive chamber who will tax the rich. “It was just the interpersonal pettiness of telling you to leave the stage,” Brisport said. Fellow DSA Assembly Member Emily Gallagher, who also backed Delgado, said she was invited to the event by the mayor’s team, but she didn’t go because she “chose to not distract from the accomplishment.”
A source close to the governor said Brisport was correct in his interpretation of the gesture. “Actions have consequences. Given the Senator’s many public comments, this should not have come as a surprise,” the source said in a text.
Brisport did have a sort-of compliment to offer for the governor after her State of the State address.
“She's historically been bad on immigration,” he said, “and seeing her come out swinging against ICE was really, really impressive.”