DiNapoli to fundraise from Republicans day before Dem convention

The day before the Democratic convention in Syracuse, state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli expects to rake in donations for his reelection campaign from an unlikely source: Republicans. 

GOP lobbyist Mark Wladis is slated to host a fundraiser at his law firm in East Syracuse for DiNapoli, a Long Island Democrat, on Thursday morning, according to an invitation obtained by City & State. That's as hundreds of top Democrats in the state head to the party's nominating convention to be held in the Central New York city on Friday.

Wladis, a registered Republican, hosted an event last year for Republican Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon's reelection campaign. President Donald Trump's border czar Tom Homan, a North Country native, attended the Wladis-hosted fundraiser and donated $2,000 to McMahon's campaign, the Post-Standard reported. Wladis also served on Rep. Elise Stefanik’s transition committee in 2014, and his law firm has represented Stefanik in election-related litigation.

Thursday's fundraiser comes as three Democrats are vying to unseat DiNapoli, who has been the state's top fiscal watchdog since 2007.

"This is the type of back-slapping machine politics that people hate about Albany insiders like Tom DiNapoli who have been asleep at the switch while the cost of everything goes up and life gets harder and harder for working New Yorkers," comptroller candidate Adem Bunkeddeko said in a statement. "When they are not raising money from Republican lobbyists, they're ignoring the struggles of families trying to pay for groceries, gas and rent. It's time to put an end to the self-serving political games that only hurt New Yorkers and makes families pay more for everything."

While DiNapoli has easily won reelection year after year, a Siena University poll released Tuesday is giving his opponents hope. Some 66% of New Yorkers do not know who DiNapoli is, or do not have an opinion about him, including 62% of registered Democrats.

"When 62% of Democrats don't know who DiNapoli is after 19 years in office, he has no choice but to turn to Republican operatives for support," said comptroller candidate Drew Warshaw, a nonprofit executive. "And it's no surprise they're happy to help given his record of handing billions in fees to Wall Street bankers, investing in fossil fuels that hurt the pension fund and the planet and buying up stakes in companies like Palantir, which make millions off of ICE and Trump's surveillance state."

Comptroller candidate Raj Goyle, an attorney and entrepreneur, argued DiNapoli having a Republican-led fundraiser is proof the state needs a new money manager.

"It's no surprise Tom is asleep at the wheel and taking money from Republicans who are in bed with Tom Homan and Trump," a spokesperson with Goyle's campaign said in a statement. "With friends like these, at least this explains why he hasn't divested from Palantir and ICE. Raj Goyle is running to be a transparent and working families' choice for comptroller who will stand up to Trump, invest in New Yorkers and guard their money effectively."

While Wladis primarily contributes to Republicans, he has not donated to Trump, and has also given to Democrats with some frequency. He previously donated to DiNapoli’s 2022 campaign, as well as Attorney General Letitia James and City Council Speaker Julie Menin. 

DiNapoli's campaign was quick to defend the comptroller, who is well-liked among Democratic Party leaders.

"Tom DiNapoli has a track record of governing as a progressive, fighting for progressive values in Albany and opposing a destructive radical Republican agenda," campaign spokesperson Aaron Ghitelman said in a statement. "He also has led the state's pension fund with high marks and integrity for his entire time as comptroller. Because of that work delivering for New York's retirees, New Yorkers of all backgrounds vote for and donate to Tom DiNapoli." 

Ghitelman also pointed to Wladis’ past donations to Democrats. 

"The donor in question has a long track record of supporting New York Democrats like Tish James and Julie Menin – progressive fighters who strike fear in the heart of Donald Trump,” he added. “When voters support Tom DiNapoli, they know what they will get: A champion for labor, immigrants and working families across the state."