Former Candidate Adem Bunkeddeko Launches 2026 Comptroller Bid

BREAKING: Former U.S. congressional candidate Adem Bunkeddeko has officially announced his candidacy for New York state comptroller in the 2026 election, intensifying the race against incumbent Tom DiNapoli. Bunkeddeko made his announcement earlier today, asserting the need for significant changes in the Comptroller’s office.

“For too long, the Comptroller’s office has been on the sidelines – and New Yorkers have paid the price,” Bunkeddeko stated in a powerful message shared via YouTube. “It’s time for change.” This declaration marks a pivotal moment in the upcoming electoral landscape, as he joins a growing list of Democratic challengers.

Bunkeddeko, a Brooklyn resident, is prioritizing several key issues in his campaign, including a thorough audit of the Metropolitan Transportation Agency and expanding state housing access vouchers. He also plans to advocate for investments in clean energy, manufacturing, and infrastructure to bolster the economy in upstate New York.

Previously, Bunkeddeko challenged Rep. Yvette Clarke in New York’s 9th Congressional District during the 2018 and 2020 elections. He narrowly lost the first contest and placed a distant second in a crowded field two years later, showcasing his tenacity in the political arena.

He now joins fellow Democrats Drew Warshaw, a former assistant secretary to Gov. Eliot Spitzer, and Raj Goyle, an entrepreneur and attorney, in the race against DiNapoli. On the Republican side, biotech entrepreneur and Cuban American immigrant Joseph Hernandez is vying for the nomination.

DiNapoli, who has held the comptroller position since 2007, is the longest-serving non-congressional statewide officeholder in New York. As Bunkeddeko and his opponents gear up for the race, the stakes are high for the future of the Comptroller’s office and its impact on New Yorkers’ lives.

The political landscape is shifting rapidly as candidates mobilize their campaigns. Voters are encouraged to stay tuned for more updates on this developing story, as the 2026 election promises to be one of the most competitive in recent history.