The Post Endorses Republican Joseph Hernandez for State Comptroller

The New York Post has endorsed Republican businessman Joseph Hernandez for state comptroller, urging voters to replace two-decade incumbent Tom DiNapoli. The endorsement argues that DiNapoli, in his 20 years in office, has overseen a worsening fiscal condition in New York, characterized by high per capita spending, the nation's highest state and local tax burden, and a projected $32 billion revenue shortfall over the next three years.

The Post criticizes DiNapoli for not being more vocal about the state's fiscal issues, suggesting his longevity is due to his non-confrontational approach within the dominant Democratic party. Hernandez, described as an outsider, is presented as a candidate who will aggressively audit for fraud and waste and use the comptroller's office as a platform to demand better fiscal management.

Hernandez, a Cuban immigrant and a former candidate for New York City mayor, is a businessman who founded tech and health-care companies and is a senior managing partner at Blue Water Venture Partners. His background in business and finance informs his concern over the state's debt, which costs taxpayers $1.6 billion annually in interest alone. He also criticizes the significant financial losses attributed to waste and fraud in New York's Medicaid programs, pointing to a perceived lack of probes by both Attorney General Letitia James and DiNapoli.

Furthermore, Hernandez contends that the state's pension funds, overseen by the comptroller, could have yielded better returns if not for what he terms "political filters," such as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives, influencing investment decisions. The endorsement suggests that Hernandez would prioritize average citizens over special interests and political affiliations, advocating for a change that would benefit taxpayers struggling with high costs and fiscal mismanagement.