State

Comptroller

Vote for: 1
Term: 4 years
Candidates: 2
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: The State Comptroller is New York's chief fiscal officer: pays the state's bills, audits state agencies and local governments, and manages the state's public pension fund.

Candidates Compare by issue

Joseph Hernandez

Republican, Conservative

Biotechnology executive and investor

The gist

Proposes a Fraud Strike Task Force for improper payments
Proposes AI-powered real-time audits of every state agency
Supports protecting the state property tax cap
Proposes cutting Wall Street fees paid by the pension fund
Proposes a $10 billion innovation fund within the pension system
Supports requiring third-party audits of Medicaid
Pledges full oversight of the MTA's debt

More about Joseph

View sources (3)

Proposes a Fraud Strike Task Force for improper payments
Joseph Hernandez for Comptroller – Standing Up for New York
Campaign website · Hernandez for New York · hernandezforny.com
“a dedicated Fraud Strike Task Force focused on stopping improper payments and holding wrongdoers accountable”
Proposes AI-powered real-time audits of every state agency
Joseph Hernandez | Bio
Campaign website · Joseph Hernandez · josephhernandez.com
“AI-powered real-time auditing of every state agency”
Supports protecting the state property tax cap
Joseph Hernandez for Comptroller – Standing Up for New York
Campaign website · Hernandez for New York · hernandezforny.com
“protecting the property tax cap, and demanding better value for taxpayers”
Proposes cutting Wall Street fees paid by the pension fund
Joseph Hernandez for Comptroller – Standing Up for New York
Campaign website · Hernandez for New York · hernandezforny.com
“strengthening pension performance, cutting excessive Wall Street fees”
Proposes a $10 billion innovation fund within the pension system
Joseph Hernandez | Bio
Campaign website · Joseph Hernandez · josephhernandez.com
“a $10 billion innovation investment fund within the pension system”
Supports requiring third-party audits of Medicaid
New York comptroller candidates plea for new legislation at state Capitol
News coverage · Spectrum News State of Politics · Mar 5, 2026 · nystateofpolitics.com
“did not think it was important or wise to request and require third party audits for Medicaid”
Pledges full oversight of the MTA's debt
Joseph Hernandez | Bio
Campaign website · Joseph Hernandez · josephhernandez.com
“full oversight of the MTA's $46 billion debt”

Thomas P. DiNapoli

Democratic, Working FamiliesIncumbent

New York State Comptroller · Long Island

The gist

Proposed raising community bank deposit program cap to $30 million
Led pension fund shift to net-zero emissions by 2040In office
Supports more pension investments with minority- and women-owned firmsIn office
Supports state budget, debt and reserve reformsIn office
Led audits targeting waste, fraud and abuse in governmentIn office
Supports investing in repairs of local roads and bridgesIn office

In office = from the candidate's own official statements or legislation as an officeholder, not their campaign.

More about Thomas

View sources (2)

Proposed raising community bank deposit program cap to $30 million
New York comptroller candidates plea for new legislation at state Capitol
News coverage · Spectrum News State of Politics · Mar 5, 2026 · nystateofpolitics.com
“The other bill would increase the cap of the community deposit program from $20 million to $30 million.”
Led pension fund shift to net-zero emissions by 2040
Biography of the New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli
Government record · Office of the New York State Comptroller · osc.ny.gov
“transitioning its portfolio to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040”
Supports more pension investments with minority- and women-owned firms
Biography of the New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli
Government record · Office of the New York State Comptroller · osc.ny.gov
“He is increasing State pension fund investments with minority- and women-owned firms”
Supports state budget, debt and reserve reforms
Biography of the New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli
Government record · Office of the New York State Comptroller · osc.ny.gov
“He is fighting for prudent State budget, debt and reserve reforms”
Led audits targeting waste, fraud and abuse in government
Biography of the New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli
Government record · Office of the New York State Comptroller · osc.ny.gov
“Tom fights waste, fraud and abuse in government and pursues officials who abuse their public positions or steal money from taxpayers.”
Supports investing in repairs of local roads and bridges
Biography of the New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli
Government record · Office of the New York State Comptroller · osc.ny.gov
“pointing out when designated State funding is diverted and the need to invest in fixing local infrastructure”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 6 issues covered in this race.