Thomas DiNapoli

January 11, 2011 New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli's Inauguration

Alan Hevesi resigned in disgrace in December 2006.[14][15] On February 7, 2007, in a joint session of the New York State Legislature, DiNapoli was elected as New York State Comptroller in a vote of 150-56.[16][15]

In lieu of a transition committee, DiNapoli established a commission to review the Comptroller's office. The commission was headed by former Mayor of New York Ed Koch and financial expert Frank Zarb. Also included in this commission were Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi, Chancellor of Syracuse University Nancy Cantor, and New York City Comptroller William Thompson. In March 2007, as one of DiNapoli's first public statements as Comptroller, he warned Governor Eliot Spitzer that his proposed budget had levels of spending were at an "unsustainable rate". DiNapoli stated that, at the rate proposed by Spitzer's budget, there would be a $13 billion deficit in three years' time.[17]

As Comptroller, DiNapoli makes periodic, public reports on a variety of issues affecting state, local, and charitable agencies. In March 2010, he reported that non-profits had been hurt by the recession as well as by delays in state contracts.[18] The following month, he gained a reputation as a critic of the State's budget deficit.[19][20][21] He "has proposed major reforms in the state budget process".[22] He unveiled a package of proposed reforms to the budget process in March 2010. Key parts of his plans are for "governors to identify plans to erase budget deficits in future years", to cap state debt, and to require excess surplusses to be deposited into the "rainy day fund".[19]

DiNapoli ran for election in November 2010.[23] On May 1, 2010, he won the Democratic Rural Conference's Straw Poll by acclamation.[24] On May 26, 2010, DiNapoli received the designation of the New York Democratic Party. "I'm grateful for your support and I salute your commitment to moving our great state forward. It's a commitment I share with each of you," said DiNapoli on the occasion.[25] He received the nomination of the Working Families Party for comptroller.

In November 2010, he narrowly won reelection.[26] DiNapoli claimed victory early the morning of November 3,[26] and Harry Wilson conceded later in the morning.[27]

DiNapoli ran for reelection in November 2014. On May 21, 2014, he received the nomination of the New York Democratic Party.[28] "This office has an important compelling and independent role to play in moving our state forward. As New York State Comptroller, I'll continue to go to work every day striving to do right by New Yorkers," said DiNapoli at the Democratic Convention. He also received the nomination of the Independence, Working Families and Women's Equality parties for State Comptroller.

In November 2014, he won reelection, defeating Republican candidate Bob Antonacci. DiNapoli received the most votes of any statewide candidate with 2,077,293 votes.[29]

DiNapoli ran for reelection for a third full term. On May 23, 2018, he received the nomination of the New York Democratic Party.[28] "This office has a lot more work to do for a safer, fairer New York. As New York State Comptroller, I'll continue to go to work every day striving to do right by New Yorkers," said DiNapoli at the Democratic Convention. He also received the nomination of the Independence, Working Families and Women's Equality and Reform parties for State Comptroller.

In November 2018, he won reelection, defeating Republican candidate Jonathan Trichter, a former Democrat who switched to the GOP. DiNapoli once again received the most votes of any statewide candidate with 4,027,886 votes.[29]

DiNapoli won reelection to a fourth term. He ran unopposed in the primary.[30]