Thomas Peter DiNapoli (born February 10, 1954) is an American politician serving as the 54th and current New York State Comptroller. He has served as comptroller since 2007 and as of 2026, is the second longest-serving comptroller in New York history.
A member of the Democratic Party, he was elected by a bipartisan majority of the New York State Legislature to the position of comptroller on February 7, 2007. He was then elected comptroller by New York's voters in 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022. In his 2014 and 2018 re-election victories, he received more votes than any other candidates for statewide office.
DiNapoli previously served as a New York State Assemblymember for the 16th district in northwestern Nassau County, first elected in 1986. He served 20 years in the Assembly. During his tenure, he chaired the Environmental Conservation Committee, the Local Governments Committee, and the Governmental Operations Committee.
Early life and education DiNapoli was born to Nicholas Peter DiNapoli and Adeline (Abbondandelo) DiNapoli and he was named after his paternal grandfather Thomas Peter DiNapoli.1930 United States Federal Census - Town of North Hempstead, Roslyn Heights village Enumeration District 30-175 Sheet 5B Lines 82-85 Both of his parents were the children of immigrants. His father, Nick, served in World War II, and after the war worked as a cable splicer for New York Telephone. For a time he was a shop steward for his union, the Communications Workers of America. DiNapoli's mother, Adeline, was a records clerk for the county police department..
Raised in Albertson on Long Island, DiNapoli has been active in politics since he was a teenager, when he ran for and won a position as a trustee on the Mineola Board of Education.Danny Hakim, "Man in the News: Thomas P. DiNapoli, a Nice Guy Who Wound Up Finishing First," New York Times, February 8, 2007. Found at New York Times website . Accessed March 29, 2010. At the age of 18 in 1972, he was the youngest person in New York State history elected to public office. He served on the school board for 10 years.
In 1976, DiNapoli graduated magna cum laude from Hofstra University with a bachelor's degree in history. After college he worked for New York Telephone and AT&T. In 1988, he received a master's degree in human resources management from The New School University's Graduate School of Management and Urban Professions.
Early political career
DiNapoli worked as an aide for Assemblyman Angelo F. Orazio. He also served as a district representative for Congressman Robert J. Mrazek. DiNapoli was a member of the New York State Assembly from 1987 to 2007, sitting in the 187th, 188th, 189th, 190th, 191st, 192nd, 193rd, 194th, 195th, 196th and 197th New York state legislatures. He represented the 16th district, located in Northwest Nassau County. DiNapoli was later also elected as Chairman of the Nassau County Democratic Committee. In 2001, he lost the Democratic nomination for Nassau County Executive to Tom Suozzi, who later won the election. In 2006, DiNapoli was a candidate for lieutenant governor, but dropped out of the race after Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, the party's frontrunner for governor, chose Senate Minority Leader David Paterson as his running mate.
New York State Comptroller
2007 election by legislature
New York State Comptroller Alan Hevesi resigned his post in December 2006 and pleaded guilty to a fraud charge. On February 7, 2007, in a joint session of the New York State Legislature, DiNapoli was elected to serve the remainder of Hevesi's unexpired term as comptroller. The vote was 150–56.
Elections 2010
DiNapoli ran for election in November 2010.Erie County Board of Elections website page on 2010 Offices to be Elected . Accessed March 29, 2010. On May 1, 2010, he won the Democratic Rural Conference's Straw Poll by acclamation. Accessed June 22, 2010. 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.. Accessed June 22, 2010. He received the nomination of the Working Families Party for comptroller.
In November 2010, DiNapoli narrowly won the general election. DiNapoli claimed victory early the morning of November 3, and Republican challenger Harry Wilson conceded later in the morning.
2014
DiNapoli ran for reelection in November 2014. On May 21, 2014, he received the nomination of the New York Democratic Party. "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.
2018
DiNapoli ran for reelection for a third full term. On May 23, 2018, he received the nomination of the New York Democratic Party. "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.
2022
DiNapoli won reelection to a fourth term. He ran unopposed in the primary.
2026
On February 6, 2026, DiNapoli received the Democratic nomination for comptroller in the 2026 election.
Tenure 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 then-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.
As Comptroller, DiNapoli makes periodic, public reports on a variety of issues affecting state, local, and charitable agencies. In March 2010, he reported that nonprofits had been hurt by the recession as well as by delays in state contracts.Richard A. D'Errico, "DiNapoli recommends changes to expedite nonprofit contracts," The Business Review (Albany), March 30, 2010; Modified: Wednesday, March 31, 2010. Found at , accessed April 5, 2010. The following month, he gained a reputation as a critic of the State's budget deficit."DiNapoli wants to alter budget process", Business First of Buffalo and The Albany Business Review, March 9, 2010. Found at , accessed April 5, 2010.Elizabeth Benjamin, "DiNapoli Talks Tough," Daily News, April 5, 2010, found at Daily News website , accessed April 5, 2010.Michael Quint, "New York Budget 'Shell Game' Hides Deficits and Cash Squeeze," Bloomberg News, 5, 2010, found at Bloomberg News website , accessed April 5, 2010. He "has proposed major reforms in the state budget process"."Comptroller DiNapoli proposes major reforms to budget process," WTEN-TV News Channel 10, March 9, 2010. Found at WTEN-TV website , accessed April 5, 2010. 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". DiNapoli supported increasing New York pension fund investments into Israel Bonds, totaling $332.5 million as of 2026.
Personal life DiNapoli is single and has no children. He lives in Great Neck Plaza, New York.
On September 1, 2013, DiNapoli was awarded honorary citizenship in the small town of Paduli in the province of Benevento, Italy. Paduli is the birthplace of his paternal grandfather. DiNapoli has received honorary degrees from Hofstra University and Ulster University.
Electoral history New York State Assembly 16th District Election, 1998PartyCandidateVotes%Democratic*Thomas DiNapoli (inc.)26,80667.30Republican*Thomas Zampino13,02732.70 *DiNapoli also appeared on the Independence Party and Liberal Party lines; Zampino also appeared on the Conservative Party line. New York State Assembly 16th District Election, 2000PartyCandidateVotes%Democratic*Thomas DiNapoli (inc.)35,62170.29Republican*Jerome Galluscio15,05329.71 *DiNapoli also appeared on the Independence Party, Liberal Party, and Working Families Party lines; Galluscio also appeared on the Conservative Party and Right to Life Party lines. New York State Assembly 16th District Election, 2002PartyCandidateVotes%Democratic*Thomas DiNapoli (inc.)25,30167.62RepublicanJavier Vargas10,52728.13ConservativeFrank Russo Jr.1,5904.25 *DiNapoli also appeared on the Independence Party, Liberal Party, and Working Families Party lines. New York State Assembly 16th District Election, 2004PartyCandidateVotes%Democratic*Thomas DiNapoli (inc.)40,17969.31Republican*Michael McGillicuddy17,79130.69 *DiNapoli also appeared on the Independence Party, Liberal Party, and Working Families Party lines; McGillicuddy also appeared on the Conservative Party line. New York Comptroller Election, 2010PartyCandidateVotes%Democratic*Thomas DiNapoli2,271,66650.78Republican*Harry Wilson2,069,42746.26GreenJulia Willebrand104,4452.33LibertarianJohn Gaetani27,8820.62 *DiNapoli also appeared on the Working Families Party line; Wilson also appeared on the Independence Party and Conservative Party lines. New York Comptroller Election, 2014PartyCandidateVotes%Democratic*Thomas DiNapoli (inc.)2,233,05760.15Republican*Robert Antonacci1,354,64336.49GreenTheresa Portelli97,9062.64LibertarianJohn Clifton26,5830.72 *DiNapoli also appeared on the Working Families Party, Independence Party, and Women's Equality Party lines; Antonacci also appeared on the Conservative Party and Stop Common Core Party lines. New York Comptroller Election, 2018PartyCandidateVotes%Democratic*Thomas DiNapoli (inc.)4,027,88666.96Republican*Jonathan Trichter1,882,95831.30GreenMark Dunlea70,0411.16LibertarianCruger E. Gallaudet34,4300.57 *DiNapoli also appeared on the Working Families Party, Independence Party, Women's Equality Party, and Reform Party lines; Trichter also appeared on the Conservative Party line. New York Comptroller Election, 2022PartyCandidateVotes%Democratic*Thomas DiNapoli (inc.)3,305,11257.29Republican*Paul Rodriguez2,463,40442.71 *DiNapoli also appeared on the Working Families Party line; Rodriguez also appeared on the Conservative Party line.
References
Further reading Letter Written To The New York Times In Response To An Article About New York's Small, Freshwater Wetlands "Instant reformer: Face to Face with Thomas P. DiNapoli," (Pensions & Investments) Paterson, David Black, Blind, & In Charge: A Story of Visionary Leadership and Overcoming Adversity. New York, New York, 2020
External links
New York State Office of the State Comptroller government website DiNapoli 2022 campaign website
The New York Times - Times Topics: Thomas P. DiNapoli collected news stories and commentary