Adrienne Adams is New York’s next lieutenant governor, and the Spelman College alumna made history on the way. On Tuesday night, she and Gov. Kathy Hochul won reelection as a ticket over Republican Bruce Blakeman and running mate Todd Hood. As a result, Adams becomes the first Black woman elected lieutenant governor of New York.
The Associated Press projected the win for Hochul and Adams. With about 76% of precincts reporting, the Democratic ticket led roughly 60% to 38%. That margin held as more returns came in.
The night was historic in another way, too. Hochul and Adams form the first all-woman ticket to lead New York’s executive branch.
A Historic Night in Albany
Hochul picked Adams as her running mate in February. At the time, the move paired a Buffalo-area governor with one of New York City’s most powerful Black leaders. It also came as Hochul faced early talk of a challenge from the left.
That challenge faded fast. Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado, who had launched his own run for governor, ended his campaign in February. From there, Hochul and Adams turned their focus to Blakeman, the Nassau County executive.
The general election was never especially close. amNY has the full results for governor, Congress and other statewide races.
As lieutenant governor, Adams will also preside over the state Senate. She steps into that role with years of experience running a legislative body in New York City.
The job carries real weight, too. The lieutenant governor is first in line to the governorship. Hochul knows that better than anyone. She held the same post in 2021 when Andrew Cuomo resigned, and she moved up to governor.
Adrienne Adams’ Road From Queens to Lieutenant Governor
Adams is a lifelong Southeast Queens resident. She grew up in Hollis as the daughter of two union workers. She attended St. Pascal Baylon Elementary School and Bayside High School. Notably, future Mayor Eric Adams, no relation, walked the same Bayside halls, though the two ran in different circles.
Then she headed south to Atlanta. At Spelman, she earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology, graduating in 1982. She is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
After college, she built a career outside politics. She worked in corporate training and early childhood education. Meanwhile, she stayed active at home, chairing Queens Community Board 12 starting in 2009. She also served on the Queens Library board of trustees.
In 2017, she won a seat on the New York City Council in District 28. In fact, she became the first woman elected to represent that district. Voters reelected her in 2021 and 2023.
The First Black Speaker of the City Council
Her biggest jump came in January 2022. That month, her colleagues elected her speaker of the New York City Council. She became the first Black speaker in the body’s history.
The job made her the second-most powerful official in city government. She led the most diverse Council in city history and its first women-majority body. HBCU Buzz covered that milestone when it happened.
As speaker, she often clashed with Mayor Adams. The two split over budget priorities, criminal justice and commissioner appointments. Still, she kept the Council focused on housing, public safety and maternal health.
Before that, she chaired the Council’s Committee on Public Safety. There, she pushed police accountability reforms and community violence prevention programs. As speaker, she also championed reproductive health care access and affordable housing.
Term limits ended her Council run in 2025. That year, she ran for mayor but fell short in the Democratic primary. For many politicians, that loss would have closed the door. Instead, months later, Hochul gave her a new path to power.
Why Adrienne Adams’ Win Matters for Spelman
Spelman has produced leaders across law, science, media and politics. Now it can claim a statewide officeholder in New York.
The timing makes the moment even sweeter. On the same night, FAMU alumna Keisha Lance Bottoms won the governor’s race in Georgia, Spelman’s home state. Meanwhile, Spelman alumna Stacey Abrams paved the way with two runs for Georgia governor.
Black women from HBCUs had a strong showing across the map Tuesday. Adams is now part of that story. For more on the school, check out our Spelman College coverage. You can also revisit our Keisha Lance Bottoms coverage from election night.
For a deeper look at her early life, Our Time Press profiled her rise when she first became speaker.
What Comes Next
Hochul and Adams will begin their new term in January. Between now and then, Adams will prepare to move from City Hall veteran to Albany power player.
The job will test her quickly. New York faces tough budget choices, and federal safety net cuts loom. Adams will need every bit of the coalition-building she sharpened as speaker.
Stay with HBCU Buzz for continued coverage of Lieutenant Governor-elect Adrienne Adams as she prepares to take office.
