Radio Catskill is continuing its candidate interview series ahead of the June 23 primary.
Radio Catskill’s Patricio Robayo spoke with Drew Warshaw, one of the Democrats running for New York State Comptroller.
Warshaw is running in the Democratic primary against incumbent Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli and Raj Goyle.
The New York State Comptroller is the state’s chief fiscal officer, overseeing state finances, government audits, and the state pension fund.
During the interview, Warshaw said he believes the Comptroller’s Office has significant power that is not being fully used. He pointed to the office’s role in managing the state pension fund, auditing state spending, and reviewing how public money is used.
Warshaw said affordability is a central issue in his campaign. He argued that the Comptroller’s Office could do more to address housing costs, property taxes, utility rates, and the way the state pension fund is invested.
Warshaw said he began his career working on campaign finance reform and immigrant rights. He also discussed his work at the Port Authority after 9/11, his experience building renewable energy infrastructure, and his time running an affordable housing nonprofit.
Housing was one of the main issues in the conversation. Warshaw said he wants to create what he described as the largest affordable housing fund in the country, using pension fund investments to support housing that New Yorkers can afford. He said the housing crisis affects cities, suburbs, and rural areas across the state.
Warshaw also criticized the current management of the pension fund, saying too much money is being paid to outside Wall Street investment managers. He said he would seek to cut out middlemen and reinvest more public money in New York communities.
On utility costs, Warshaw said the Comptroller’s Office should use its auditing authority to examine utility regulators and push back on rising electricity rates. He said utilities such as Central Hudson, Con Edison, National Grid, NYSEG, and others should face more scrutiny.
Warshaw also said he supports divesting state pension fund money from fossil fuel companies, certain foreign government bonds, and companies he says are connected to immigration enforcement.
Asked why Democratic primary voters should choose him over DiNapoli and Goyle, Warshaw said he believes the race is about whether the Comptroller’s Office should continue under longtime leadership or take a more active approach. He argued that his background in housing, renewable energy, public finance, and advocacy makes him prepared for the office.
Primary day in New York is June 23.