BREAKING: Former U.S. congressional candidate Adem Bunkeddeko has just announced his candidacy for New York State Comptroller in 2026, intensifying the race against long-serving incumbent Tom DiNapoli. In a statement released on Tuesday, Bunkeddeko declared, “For too long, the Comptroller’s office has been on the sidelines – and New Yorkers have paid the price. It’s time for change.”
Bunkeddeko, a Brooklyn resident, unveiled his campaign through a YouTube video detailing his priorities, which include auditing the Metropolitan Transportation Agency, expanding state housing access vouchers, and leveraging clean energy along with infrastructure investments to boost upstate’s economy. His commitment comes at a critical time when New Yorkers are demanding accountability and innovation in state financial management.
This announcement adds to a growing list of Democratic challengers aiming to unseat DiNapoli, who has held the position since 2007 and is currently the longest-serving non-congressional statewide officeholder. Bunkeddeko joins fellow Democrats Drew Warshaw, a former assistant secretary to Gov. Eliot Spitzer, and Raj Goyle, an entrepreneur and attorney, in the race for the comptroller’s office.
On the Republican side, Joseph Hernandez, a biotech entrepreneur and Cuban American immigrant, is also seeking the nomination. The competition is heating up as voters look for fresh perspectives and effective solutions to pressing issues in New York State.
Bunkeddeko previously ran for Congress in New York’s 9th Congressional District, narrowly losing to Rep. Yvette Clarke in 2018 and finishing a distant second in the 2020 Democratic primary. His new bid for comptroller signals a determined effort to influence state fiscal policy directly.
As the election approaches, the stakes are high, and Bunkeddeko’s campaign is expected to resonate with voters eager for transformative leadership. What happens next will shape the future of New York’s financial oversight and governance.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story, as the race for New York State Comptroller continues to unfold.
