The Brief
New Yorkers will vote in a competitive Democratic primary for state comptroller, a powerful role that oversees state finances, audits agencies and manages the public pension fund.
Incumbent Thomas DiNapoli is running on his long tenure and support from labor unions, while challengers Raj Goyle and Drew Warshaw are campaigning on new leadership and progressive priorities.
Goyle, a former Kansas lawmaker, and Warshaw, a former nonprofit housing executive, have both focused on issues like pension fund investments and affordability as they try to unseat DiNapoli.
NEW YORK – In this upcoming primary, New Yorkers will be voting for state comptroller, a powerful statewide role that oversees New York’s finances, audits state agencies and manages one of the nation’s largest public pension funds.
State comptroller election
What we know
The primaries have grown increasingly heated, with candidates competing for support from progressive groups and party endorsements.
SKIP TO: Thomas DiNapoli | Raj Goyle | Drew Warshaw
Here’s what to know about the candidates in the race for comptroller.
What to know about Thomas DiNapoli
Thomas DiNapoli is the longtime incumbent, first appointed in 2007 and elected to several full terms since then.
Thomas DiNapoli, New York state comptroller, speaks during the National Action Network (NAN) 35th Anniversary Convention in New York, US, on Thursday, April 9, 2026. A horde of 2028 Democratic presidential hopefuls will descend on a Sheraton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan this week for Al Sharpton’s National Action Network conference, nearly two years before the first primary votes will be cast. Photographer: Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg via Getty Images
He has built his campaign around his experience managing the state’s finances and pension fund, and has longstanding support from labor unions across New York.
DiNapoli is also seeking backing from progressive groups as he works to fend off challengers in his first primary in nearly two decades.
What to know about Raj Goyle
Raj Goyle is a former Kansas state lawmaker who later worked in the tech industry.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 22: Raj Goyle speaks at the ‘Geopolitics Today’ panel during the The Juggernaut Summit 2023 at Spring Studios on September 22, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images)
He is running as a challenger focused on bringing new leadership and ideas to the office, and has increasingly positioned himself as a progressive candidate.
His campaign has highlighted support from national progressive figures and activism, including opposition to state pension investments in Israeli bonds and participation in climate protests.
What to know about Drew Warshaw
Drew Warshaw is a former affordable housing nonprofit executive and was the first to enter the race.
ALBANY, NY – DECEMBER 22: Candidate for state comptroller Drew Warshaw holds a news conference at the Capitol, where he spoke in opposition to Comptroller Thomas Peter DiNapoli’s management of the state pension fund on Monday, Dec. 22, 2025, in Albany, N.Y. (Will Waldron/Albany Times Union via Getty Images)
His campaign has focused on using the comptroller’s authority and financial resources to address affordability issues in New York.
Warshaw has also emphasized progressive priorities, including proposals tied to how pension funds are invested, and has sought support from progressive activists and Working Families Party members.
The Source
This article is based on information from the office of the State Comptroller and reporting by City & State.