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NEW YORK, NY (607NewsNow) — Drew Warshaw is the first Democrat to challenge the 20-year NYS Comptroller incumbent Tom DiNapoli, citing a lack of action from DiNapoli on issues important to New Yorkers.
Warshaw grew up one block south of East Harlem and graduated from Cornell University where he helped form Democracy Matters, a nonpartisan student organization advocating for public financing of campaigns. He’d like to reimagine the role, using his past government, nonprofit, and private sector experience to work for New York residents.
“The New York State Comptroller is the third largest investor in the United States, and none of the money has been invested in homes New Yorkers can afford. 95% of DiNapoli’s investments leave New York State. He’s taken New Yorkers’ money and used it to invest in hedge funds and private equity managers. He has the ability to lower the cost of electric bills and housing for New York State residents, he just refuses to do it.”
Having worked nearly 10 years in the renewable energy sector, he aims to address the cost-of-living crisis through lowering energy bills and creating a $20 billion affordable housing fund. Warshaw calls for an audit of the New York Public Service Commission, which is the regulator of companies such as New York State Electric and Gas (NYSEG), and continues to guarantee a 9.5% profit margin to NYSEG and other monopolies.
“Comptroller is one of the most powerful offices, not just in New York, but in the country. The New York State Comptroller unilaterally invests a $300 billion fund that property taxpayers pay into. For 20 years, the position has been held by the same guy who hasn’t used that power and influence to better the lives of New Yorkers,” Warshaw says.
Recently visiting downtown Buffalo, Warshaw says he wants to cater to the needs of all New Yorkers, not just those that live in the city. Photo of Drew Warshaw during his time at Cornell in 2003, courtesy of Sophia Saidi.
“Upstate New York cities like Syracuse, Buffalo, and Rochester have historically been neglected and under invested in. Those who live in upstate send their taxes to the same fund that’s being used to make investments outside of New York state. If elected, I will invest all of that fund in New York state itself, including a minimum of $10 billion that will be invested upstate.”
Warshaw’s favorite part about New York, he says, is the grit that New Yorkers have.
“In the city and the state itself, grit is a shared trait among those who call this place home. From the dairy farmers who get up at 3:30 a.m., to the proud New Yorkers in Buffalo who push through while being unjustly under-invested in, to those who live in the city and find a way to make it work everyday, the toughness is something I see in everyone.”
Early voting has started for the 2026 primary elections, with election day falling on Tuesday, June 23rd. Find out more about Drew Warshaw and his vision for New York State Comptroller here.