Successful entrepreneur, philanthropist and biotechnology industry leader Joseph Hernandez announced his candidacy for New York State Comptroller. He will seek the Republican nomination to challenge Democrat incumbent Tom DiNapoli.

“The State Comptroller must be a strong, independent fiscal champion who stands up for taxpayers and restores confidence in New York’s finances,” said Joseph Hernandez. “I’m a business builder, not a career politician, and I have a real plan to transform the Office of State Comptroller and use it to provide tax relief for overburdened New York families, build the state’s innovation economy and manufacturing base, and create high-paying new jobs.”

The New York State Comptroller is the state’s chief financial officer and fiscal watchdog, responsible for:

Overseeing state spending, auditing agencies, approving contracts and ensuring taxpayer money is used responsibly.

Managing the $290 billion-plus pension fund as its sole trustee and safeguarding retiree benefits.

Auditing local governments and school districts to ensure fiscal discipline and compliance with the property tax cap.

Monitoring major public authorities, including the MTA, to expose waste, mismanagement, and excessive debt.

Investigating fraud and abuse, and working with prosecutors to hold corrupt actors accountable.

Hernandez’s plan calls for:

Restoring fiscal responsibility through AI-powered contract oversight: Hernandez will use the comptroller’s constitutional authority to review state contracts and deploy AI tools to detect fraud, waste and irregularities in real time.

Lower property taxes by enforcing the state property tax cap: He will hold school districts and local governments accountable when they exceed the cap, and improve investment performance to provide real fiscal relief.

Launch an AI and Technology Investment Fund within the pension system. Hernandez will strategically invest in AI, biotechnology, clean energy and advanced manufacturing to rebuild New York’s innovation economy and create high-paying jobs.

Bring transparency and accountability to the MTA. With more than $46 billion in debt and nearly $800 million in annual fare and toll evasion losses, Hernandez will use the office’s oversight authority to stop wasteful spending and demand fiscal discipline.

“My father was held prisoner by Fidel Castro because of his political beliefs,” Hernandez said. “When a self-avowed communist won the Democratic primary for mayor, I felt an obligation to step forward to defend freedom and the American Dream. As state comptroller, I will use the extraordinary authority of the office to protect taxpayers, return fiscal responsibility, and expand opportunity for all New Yorkers.”

Hernandez is the father of three children: Alexander, 18; Sebastian, 14; and Estella, 11.

Hernandez for New York 
www.hernandezforny.com