New York Working Families Party declines to endorse for state comptroller

The state Working Families Party voted against endorsing anyone in the Democratic primary for state comptroller, City & State has learned. The decision from the progressive third party comes after its state committee declined to weigh in earlier this year in order to more thoroughly vet all the candidates.

The WFP state committee met Wednesday night to decide whether to back incumbent Tom DiNapoli, or one of his two remaining challengers, Drew Warshaw or Raj Goyle. In the end, party members ultimately opted against taking a position in the primary.

State Working Families Party Director Jasmine Gripper said the party will endorse the winner of the Democratic primary. “We are proud to see how valuable and coveted the New York Working Families Party endorsement is,” she said in a statement. “This primary race for New York State Comptroller has invited a critical conversation about this often overlooked statewide office, especially as we face the forces of authoritarianism from Washington. … While many affiliates will make endorsements of their own, the Working Families Party did not come to a consensus on a candidate.”

The decision by the WFP is a blow to both Warshaw and Goyle, who have been actively positioning themselves as a progressive alternative to DiNapoli. An endorsement from the third party would have served as a major left-wing validator for either one in their bid to unseat the longtime incumbent.

Although the WFP voted against endorsing, Warshaw still came out of two rounds of voting with the most support among the candidates, according to vote totals shared with City & State. Goyle got knocked out in the first round after receiving a little under 10%. Warshaw and DiNapoli advanced to a second round, but nonendorsement won the majority.

“Progressive New Yorkers sent an unmistakable signal tonight – that after 20 years of the same, it is time we do it different,” Warshaw said in a statement. “It is time we take the power and money of the comptroller’s office and use it for working New Yorkers without it.”

Going into the vote, Warshaw had support of several advocacy organizations who are WFP members and have sway over the voting process. After the vote concluded, Make the Road Action, a major affiliate member of the WFP, exclusively shared with City & State that it was officially endorsing Warshaw.

“Drew has a vision that would help the working class and immigrant community,” Make the Road Action Members Eliana Jaramillo and Evanna Vasquez said in a statement. “The Comptroller can also be an activist – and that’s what Drew will be. It’s urgent, especially in this moment, and Drew has the best vision in this race.”

Goyle, meanwhile, went into the vote with the support of New York Communities for Change, another major WFP member. “We are proud of the progressive coalition we have built throughout this campaign and we look forward to making history in 48 days,” David Quesada, Goyle’s campaign manager, said in a statement.

The Wednesday vote was also a blow to DiNapoli, who enjoys strong support from many of the powerful unions who are members of the WFP. Several invested in a super PAC that has begun spending to help get DiNapoli reelected. The WFP regularly voted to endorse DiNapoli in the past.

“We deeply appreciate the Working Families Party’s commitment to fighting for progressive values in New York State,” DiNapoli spokesperson Aaron Ghitelman said in a statement. “Tom DiNapoli has championed the Working Families Party since its inception and will work hand-in-hand with the Party to support progressive candidates across New York and make sure Democrats take back the House in 2026.”

The decision from the WFP in the Democratic primary for state comptroller is the second time the party has chosen not to endorse in a contested primary race. Members voted for a placeholder in February in the race for governor rather than choose between Gov. Kathy Hochul and Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado, who had the support of many member organizations but has since dropped out. Party leaders have endorsed against incumbents in statewide races in the past, but have suffered political repercussions as a result. City & State reported at the time that Hochul had pressured the WFP to back a placeholder rather than endorse Delgado when it became apparent members supported him over the incumbent.