This browser does not support the Video element.
NYS Comptroller DiNapoli talks campaign trail, state retirement fund
New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli sits down with FOX 5 NY's political reporter Morgan McKay to discuss his reasoning for running for reelection, as well as his method of managing the state's retirement fund.
NEW YORK - New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli is being challenged by Republican NYC entrepreneur Joseph Hernandez in the 2026 election.
FOX 5 NY is your home on Election Night. Bookmark our Election Results page to track in real-time, and tune into our Election Night coverage live right here on fox5ny.com and FOX LOCAL New York as the night unfolds. Coverage begins at 4 p.m.
NYS Comptroller candidates: Who's who?
What we know:
NYS Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli
DiNapoli, who has held the office of state comptroller for nearly 20 years, is seeking reelection to a fifth straight term.
The incumbent comptroller is a Long Island native who became one of the youngest New Yorkers to hold a public office at just 18 years old. Before being elected to his current role, DiNapoli served in the state assembly for almost two decades.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 12: State Comptroller Thomas Dinapoli speaks during the annual New York State Financial Control Board meeting on August 12, 2026 in New York City. Dinapoli was joined by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, New York Gov. Ka
On his campaign website, the comptroller highlights the fact that he grew the state's pension fund to nearly $300 billion, as well as creating an early warning system for communities experiencing fiscal problems.
DiNapoli is endorsed by dozens of local leaders, along with Gov. Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James.
Joseph Hernandez
The other side:
Hernandez, the Republican nominee, is an entrepreneur who ran as an independent in New York City's mayoral race last year.
Garden City, N.Y.: Joseph Hernandez takes the stage as he accepts the nominee for New York State Comptroller at the New York State Republican convention at the Garden City Hotel in Garden City, New York on February 10, 2026. (Photo by Drew Singh/News
On his campaign website, Hernandez alleges that "oversight is slow" – the GOP candidate promises that, if he were elected, he would create a fraud strike task force and create the empire opportunity fund to "identify competitive investment opportunities" across the state.
This browser does not support the Video element.
GOP nominee for NYS Comptroller talks background, former mayoral campaign
Republican nominee for New York State Comptroller Joseph Hernandez comes on Politics Unusual to discuss his former run for New York City's mayoral office, as well as how he would approach his role if chosen to succeed current Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli.
The Source: This article includes information from several official New York State websites and both DiNapoli's and Hernandez's campaign websites.