Comptroller Tom DiNapoli has served as New York State Comptroller since 2007, making him one of the longest-serving statewide officeholders. He has built a record defined by careful stewardship, ethical integrity, and institutional independence. The state’s pension fund, one of the largest in the nation, has grown steadily under his watch. He has completed meaningful audits, resisted efforts to curtail his contract pre-audit powers, fostered government financial transparency through Open Book New York, and maintained a clean ethical record throughout his tenure.

DiNapoli’s path to the office is worth acknowledging. He was originally elevated to the position by the Albany establishment, including former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, who later went to prison on corruption charges. Yet DiNapoli cleaned up the office, put ethical safeguards in place, and demonstrated independence from the forces that first placed him there. He has correctly run the office as an administrator, not as a legislator.

His challengers in this race argue that 19 years is a long time for a single leader to hold this office, and that the Comptroller’s office has unrealized potential DiNapoli has not pursued. They contend he has adopted a narrow view of his mandate and has not used the bully pulpit effectively to draw adequate public and political attention to his audits or to flag problems within state and local government. Citizens Union finds merit in that critique, and we encourage DiNapoli to be more assertive in that regard going forward.

Drew Warshaw brings hands-on government experience and a clear-eyed view of the Comptroller’s untapped institutional power, one grounded in technocratic thinking rather than overly ideological posturing. Where critics of DiNapoli argue the office has been too passive, Warshaw makes the case for an active Comptroller, one who uses existing authority more fully, not one who seeks to expand the office’s mandate beyond its proper scope.

Like the other challengers, Drew brings fresh ideas to the table. He has proposed ending the longstanding practice of using costly asset managers to steer a portion of New York’s pension funds and instead says he would move more assets into index funds. Financial professionals have endorsed this approach as a fiscally responsible strategy. However, he seemed to be overly optimistic about how quickly he could make this change.

Warshaw represents active, innovation-minded stewardship that could unlock more of what this office can do. Voters who want a Comptroller willing to use the bully pulpit more forcefully, while remaining grounded in the office’s fiduciary responsibilities, will find much to admire in his candidacy. However, Citizens Union is wary of candidates who are eager to go further by bringing national and global politics to the office.

Raj Goyle, the former Chairman of the 5BORO Institute (and briefly a Citizens Union board member after 5BORO became part of Citizens Union until he left to run for this office), impressed in his interview and shares common ground with Drew Warshaw on the need for a more assertive Comptroller. Voters may find it difficult to draw a sharp distinction between the two. Goyle, who has held elected office previously, comes across as a more politically forceful candidate, and his vision for the office as an important perch from which to take on President Trump at times extends beyond what Citizens Union sees as the Comptroller’s core mandate.

Goyle is a talented candidate with a broad command of policy. Some on our Board suggested his skills and profile might be better suited to a different office, like Governor or US Senator. That is not a dismissal of his capabilities, which are evident. But Citizens Union believes the Comptroller’s office demands rigor, restraint, and independence from political currents.

Adem Bunkeddeko impressed Citizens Union’s Board with his depth of policy fluency and a command of the office’s responsibilities that should not be underestimated. In another cycle, with a stronger campaign infrastructure and fundraising operation, he could be a serious contender. For now, his campaign faces obstacles, including questions about ballot access and the resources needed to compete at scale. Citizens Union thought his voice added something meaningful to this primary.