General Election
Statewide choice on oversight, pension stewardship and local finances
Thomas P. DiNapoli, comptroller since 2007, seeks another term against Joseph Hernandez. Both campaigns address spending and contract oversight, pension-fund stewardship and local finances; DiNapoli emphasizes his office's record, while Hernandez proposes audits, pension reviews and property-tax-related cost controls. An August Siena likely-voter poll found DiNapoli at 55% and Hernandez at 32%, with 12% undecided or refusing to answer.
Ballot not yet certified — lineup may change
New York State Comptroller
Spending oversight — Has pursued anti-corruption and taxpayer-protection work, including investigations, efforts to toughen penalties for officials who abuse public funds, and rotating audits of school districts and BOCES.
New York State AFL-CIO +7
Founder, Energia Power Systems
Spending oversight — Supports aggressive audits of state agencies, public authorities and major programs, pre-payment monitoring with data tools, and contract review before taxpayer dollars go out; says findings should be public and wrongdoing referred to law enforcement.
No major endorsements yet
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Oversight of spending and contracts
The comptroller has constitutional authority to conduct financial, compliance and performance audits of state and New York City agencies and virtually all public benefit corporations. The office generally reviews state agency contracts above $50,000 and certain public-authority contracts above $1 million before approval, making audit scope, contract scrutiny and public follow-up direct tools of the office.
Has pursued anti-corruption and taxpayer-protection work, including investigations, efforts to toughen penalties for officials who abuse public funds, and rotating audits of school districts and BOCES.
DiNapoli for New York — Record & PolicyPension fund stewardship
The comptroller is the sole trustee of the New York State Common Retirement Fund and is accountable for its performance, oversight and management, with investment decisions subject to a fiduciary duty to retirement-system members and beneficiaries. The office therefore controls investment decisions about asset allocation, risk, investment costs and shareholder stewardship, subject to fiduciary and statutory duties to retirement-system members and beneficiaries.
Supports managing the Common Retirement Fund for retirees while moving its investments toward net-zero greenhouse-gas emissions by 2040 and using shareholder influence to press companies on climate change and board diversity.
DiNapoli for New York — Record & PolicyLocal finances and property taxes
New York's property-tax cap requires local governments and school districts to report information to the comptroller, who sets reporting requirements and reserve rules for excess levies and calculates certain costs and savings when services or local governments are consolidated. The office also publishes a Fiscal Stress Monitoring System that gives local officials and taxpayers early-warning information about budgetary solvency.
Supports protecting the property-tax cap and reducing pressures that raise local taxes through stronger pension performance, cost controls and stricter oversight of state spending that affects counties, municipalities and school districts.
Joseph Hernandez for Comptroller — IssuesResearched & verified Sep 6, 2026. Compiled from verified public sources; claims that failed verification are excluded.
