Radio Catskill is continuing its candidate interview series ahead of the June 23 primary.
Radio Catskill’s Patricio Robayo spoke with Raj Goyle, one of the Democrats running for New York State Comptroller.
Goyle is running in the Democratic primary against incumbent Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli and Drew Warshaw.
The New York State Comptroller is the state’s chief fiscal officer, overseeing public money, auditing government spending, and managing the state pension fund.
During the interview, Goyle described the Comptroller’s Office as “the most powerful office you’ve never heard of,” arguing that it could play a larger role in addressing affordability, utility costs, housing, climate investments, and public accountability.
Goyle said he wants to serve as what he called an “affordability watchdog.” He said one of his first priorities, if elected, would be to scrutinize utility rate hike requests from companies such as NYSEG, Con Edison, National Grid, and Central Hudson.
While the Comptroller does not directly regulate utilities, Goyle said the office could review financial filings submitted to the Public Service Commission and challenge rate increases he believes are not justified.
Housing was another major focus of the conversation. Goyle said he believes the state pension fund could be used to invest directly in affordable housing projects across New York, while still generating returns for retirees. He argued that the fund should prioritize investments that both protect pensioners and help address New York’s housing crisis.
Goyle also discussed how he would approach management of the state pension fund. He said it should focus on strong returns while also reflecting public values. He said he supports divesting from fossil fuels, moving away from certain foreign bond investments, and ending investments in companies he says are connected to immigration enforcement and war abroad.
Asked how he would serve voters outside New York City, Goyle pointed to the Hudson Valley, the Catskills, and other upstate regions where residents are also facing high costs for housing, groceries, utilities, and gas. He said the Comptroller’s Office should focus on “regional equity all across New York State.”
Goyle also spoke about his personal background. He said his parents immigrated to Rochester from New Delhi in 1970, and that he grew up in the Midwest before moving to New York full-time in 2010. He now lives in Lower Manhattan with his wife, two daughters, mother, and mother-in-law. Goyle also noted that his wife is from Orange County, with family roots in Warwick, Middletown, and Chester.
When asked why Democratic primary voters should choose him over DiNapoli and Warshaw, Goyle said he believes the office needs a more aggressive approach. He criticized DiNapoli’s long tenure in Albany and said voters struggling with affordability should not choose “more of the same.”
Goyle also pointed to his past work as an ACLU lawyer, his time with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, his experience as a state legislator in Kansas, and his work running a technology company.
Primary day in New York is June 23.