Campaign Insiders is PoliticsNY’s latest Q&A series featuring candidates running for office in the 2026 New York primary election. This edition of Campaign Insiders features New York State Comptroller Candidate Drew Warshaw. The NYS comptroller is New York’s chief fiscal officer and is responsible for protecting taxpayer funds, providing independent fiscal oversight on State, New York City and local finances, managing the NYS pension fund and more.
What are the top three issues for your campaign?
The comptroller has massive powers to deliver for working New Yorkers:
- Invest $20 billion to build/preserve homes for working New Yorkers and get out of bad investments: ICE-enabler Palantir, fossil fuels, and foreign bonds
- End the “DiNapoli Tax” that has cost New Yorkers $59.1 billion in higher property taxes while DiNapoli made underperforming Wall Street bankers millionaires
- Take on the Trump administration through investment, contract and audit powers
Why did you decide to run for office?
Because if you are sitting on power and money and not using those things for working New Yorkers without those things, after 20 years, you need to go. I’ve spent my career taking on our most entrenched challenges, and I want to bring that experience, rebuilding the World Trade Center, building solar farms, and running the nation’s largest affordable housing nonprofit to an office that can address our biggest challenges and keep Trump in check.
What do you believe is the top issue facing voters and how do you plan to address it if elected?
Affordability. New Yorkers can’t afford their rent, groceries, or energy bills. The Comptroller has enormous power to change that, and has been sitting on it for two decades. I will fire the 664 Wall Street bankers that have cost taxpayers $59.1 billion, invest $20 billion in housing – the largest investment in the country – and automatically send back the $20 billion sitting in unclaimed funds that belongs to New Yorkers. No excuses. Just relief.
How does your background qualify you to hold office?
I rebuilt the World Trade Center after years of dysfunction. I built a national renewable energy business from scratch, putting $1 billion of steel in the ground. I led and managed the largest affordable housing nonprofit in America, overseeing billions in investments. I’ve spent my career solving complex problems at the intersection of government, business, and community – and this office needs someone who has managed billions of dollars, fought powerful interests, and delivered results.
Why should voters choose you over your opponents?
DiNapoli has held this office for 19 years and wants a sixth term. Five is enough. He’s handed $11.3 billion in fees to Wall Street bankers to underperform, refused to audit NY’s law enforcement agencies colluding with ICE, slow-rolled returning $20 billion owed to New Yorkers, and invested in Florida instead of taking on our housing crisis. No more politicians. I have the experience, ideas, and urgency this moment demands. It’s time for change.
From now until early voting, Campaign Insiders will be featuring candidates from select democratic primary races across the City & State. Be sure to check back to hear from a wide range of candidates from assembly, senate, and congressional races as well as the NYS comptroller race!
Early voting in NYC is June 13th-21st and Election Day is June 23rd. Check out the PoliticsNY Election Primer to see who will be on your ballot and don’t forget to vote this June!
