Comptroller also on primary ballot

While the race to determine who will face Republican incumbent Mike Lawler to represent New York’s 17th Congressional district has been getting most of the news coverage (and ads), Democrats will have another choice on Primary Day (June 23), with three candidates vying for the nomination for New York State Comptroller.

Incumbent Thomas P. DiNapoli (dinapolifornewyork.com), who first took office in 2007, is being challenged by Raj Goyle (rajgoyle.com) and Drew Warshaw (drewwarshaw.com).

According to Ballotpedia, DiNapoli held his first elective office as a teenager, winning a seat on the Mineola Union Free School District Board of Education at age 17 (and taking office at 18) and spending a decade on the board. The Long Island native was then elected to the New York State Assembly’s 16th District in 1986, serving until his appointment as comptroller in 2007.

As comptroller, DiNapoli has overseen one of the nation’s largest public pension funds, managed state finances and audits, and frequently weighed in on fiscal policy affecting local governments and school districts. During Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s administration, he raised concerns about a proposal that would have allowed municipalities to reduce pension contributions in the short term, warning of potential long-term impacts on the pension system’s financial stability. He has also been a vocal advocate for government accountability, issuing audits and reports on state agencies, local governments and public authorities throughout his tenure.

DiNapoli now faces what observers are calling his toughest reelection challenge in decades.

Goyle, a former Kansas state lawmaker who later worked in the technology industry, said he would push for an AI data center fair-share fee that would require technology companies to help cover infrastructure costs associated with increased electricity demand. He also said he would seek to curb utility rate hikes, divest from fossil fuels and foreign bonds, and increase investment in affordable housing. Goyle said utility companies should be held accountable for rate increases that affect consumers.

Warshaw, a former affordable housing nonprofit executive and the first candidate to enter the race, has focused his campaign on using the comptroller’s authority and oversight of state pension funds to address affordability issues in New York. Warshaw has also emphasized progressive priorities, including changes to pension fund investment strategies, and has sought support from progressive activists and members of the Working Families Party.

Miranda Ferrante contributed to this article