By Democratic state comptroller candidate Adem Bunkeddeko is entering the 2026 race with a plan to challenge incumbent Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, who has held the office since 2007 and is heading into one of the most contested Democratic primaries of his tenure.
Bunkeddeko, a former two-time congressional candidate from Brooklyn and the son of Ugandan refugees Sulaiman Bunkeddeko and Jean Kaddu Bunkeddeko, appeared on Spectrum News NY1’s Inside City Hall to discuss his campaign.
His appearance on Inside City Hall follows his formal announcement that he is joining the Democratic primary field against DiNapoli, who has served as New York State Comptroller for 18 years. DiNapoli oversees the state’s pension fund, financial audits, and fiscal oversight responsibilities and now faces an unusually crowded roster of Democratic challengers heading into the 2026 primary.
Since launching his campaign, Bunkeddeko has highlighted several priorities he plans to advance if elected. In earlier public statements, he has proposed using unclaimed state funds to create savings accounts for newborns as part of a statewide “trust fund” initiative, alongside broader goals tied to long-term financial stability for working families.
Bunkeddeko, who holds a degree from Haverford College and an MBA from Harvard Business School, previously ran twice for Congress in New York’s 9th District. He told Inside City Hall that his background in economic development and his lived experience as the child of refugees give him a unique perspective on the fiscal challenges facing New Yorkers.
As the primary season approaches, the race for state comptroller is expected to sharpen further as both Bunkeddeko and DiNapoli continue defining their visions for managing New York’s finances, pension investments, and oversight functions. The Democratic primary will determine who advances to the general election for one of the state’s most influential fiscal offices.
