General Election
Open seat for State Comptroller as DiNapoli retires after long tenure
The 2026 election for New York State Comptroller is an open seat contest following the retirement of long-serving incumbent Thomas P. DiNapoli. Democrat DiNapoli, first elected in 2007, is not seeking re-election, leaving the field open to new candidates. The race features Democrat Thomas P. DiNapoli (though he is not on the ballot) and Republican Joseph Hernandez, with key issues including pension fund growth, fiscal oversight, and government accountability.
Ballot not yet certified — lineup may change
Thomas P. DiNapoli
IncumbentNew York State Comptroller
Joseph Hernandez
Founder, Energia Power Systems
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Pension Fund Growth and Security
DiNapoli highlights growing the pension fund to a historic high with strong funded ratios, while Hernandez emphasizes strengthening the fund to ease tax burdens by reducing costs and Wall Street fees.
Joseph Hernandez
Joseph Hernandez will strengthen the pension fund to ease the tax burden by improving long-term returns, reducing unnecessary costs and excessive Wall Street fees, and managing the fund as a fiduciary free from political pressure.
Fiscal Stress Monitoring and School Accountability
DiNapoli points to creating a Fiscal Stress Monitoring System and auditing every school district and BOCES, as well as uncovering abuse of special education funds.
Thomas P. DiNapoli
DiNapoli created a Fiscal Stress Monitoring System to inform taxpayers about the state of their local government finances, and increased school accountability by auditing every school district and BOCES in New York State on a rotating cycle. He also uncovered widespread abuse of special education funds by private contractors.
Government Accountability and Oversight
Hernandez proposes using the Comptroller's authority to review contracts, expand audits, oversee MTA spending, and enforce budget transparency to stop waste and abuse.
Joseph Hernandez
Hernandez will use the Comptroller's authority to review and pre-approve state contracts, expand audits of state agencies and public authorities, oversee MTA spending, and enforce budget transparency to stop waste and abuse.
Researched & verified Jul 15, 2026. Compiled from verified public sources; claims that failed verification are excluded.