H H H H H H PRIMARY VOTERS’ GUIDE 2021 H H H H H H
Caribbean L 30 ife, June 4-10, 2021
Visit PoliticsNY.com to Watch Debates & Learn More About Each Candidate
The following candidates are listed
in alphabetical order.
BY ARIEL PACHECO
There are numerous candidates for this year’s
race for New York City comptroller. The incumbent,
Scott Stringer, is term-limited and is
making a run for mayor.
This leaves an open field all vying to be the
city’s financial watchdog. The majority of the
field is Democratic and no Republican has been
Comptroller since 1938. This means whoever
wins the Democratic Primary on June 22 will
almost certainly be the city’s next comptroller.
The latest polls suggest more than two-thirds
of voters are undecided.
Here are the candidates:
DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY
Brian
Benjamin
A current state senator,
Benjamin serves as chair
of the senate’s Budget and
Revenues Committee.
He is an advocate for
affordable housing and
holding the police accountable.
Political Ideology: Democrat
Experience: Benjamin is the current state
senator representing Harlem, East Harlem and the
Upper West Side. Benjamin is a former investment
banker and affordable housing developer.
Michelle
Caruso-
Cabrera
Formerly registered
as a Republican,
Caruso-Cabrera
was also a longtime
financial journalist for CNBC. She ran against
Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
last year. She wants to ensure the long-term
sustainability of the city’s pension fund.
Political Ideology: Democrat
Experience: Caruso-Cabrera was a former CNBC
financial reporter and anchor.
Zach Iscol
Iscol is a former Marine
who initially ran for mayor
before dropping out. He
has been the head of a
non-profit organization
and is an entrepreneur.
Isocl has released a fivepoint
plan for New York City’s recovery.
Political Ideology: Democrat
Experience: Iscol is an executive for the nonprofit
Headstrong. He is also a co-founder for the
media site Task & Purpose.
Corey Johnson
Johnson initially ran
for mayor but dropped
out late last year. He
then decided to run
for Comptroller in
March. Johnson is the
City Council speaker.
Johnson wants to invest in MWBEs and in small
businesses. Johnson was leading in the latest polls.
Political Ideology: Democrat
Experience: City Council Speaker and Council
member representing Chelsea. Johnson is the
youngest person to ever chair a community board
in the five boroughs.
Brad Lander
Lander was a community
planner and housing
advocate prior to serving
in the City Council.
He spent over a decade
working as the director
of two non-profit
organizations. His platform includes investing
in infrastructure, small business recovery, and
restoring public health.
Political Ideology: Democrat
Experience: Lander is a current city councilman
who is a co-founder of the Council’s progressive
caucus. Lander previously directed a community
planning center at Pratt Institute.
Terri Lift in
Liftin is an attorney and
legal compliance expert.
She wants to protect
the city’s pension funds
and invest in the city’s
infrastructure.
Political Ideology:
Democratic
Experience: Liftin has worked for an asset
management company and for private investment
firms.
Kevin
Parker
Parker is the 5th
highest-ranking
Democrat in the
senate leadership.
Parker was appointed
Comptroller race
Senate majority whip and serves as chairman
of the Senate Committee on Energy &
Telecommunications. Parker wants to infuse
capital into MWBEs and small businesses and
is an advocate for more affordable housing.
Political Ideology: Democrat
Experience: Parker is a current state senator
representing parts of Brooklyn. He is a
professor and former assistant to the state
comptroller.
Reshma Patel
Patel is an Indian
immigrant who has
worked in public
finance. She has worked
with the comptroller’s
office before, working
on the creation of a new
financing authority for the city. Patel wants to
create a digital banking policy.
Political Ideology: Democrat
Experience: Patel serves on Manhattan’s
Community Board 6 as vice-chair of the budget
and Government Affairs Committee. She is the
President of the Eleanor Roosevelt Democratic
Club.
David Weprin
Weprin was appointed
by Governor Cuomo
to serve as deputy
superintendent of
Banks and Secretary of
the Banking Board of
New York state. Weprin
has worked in the private sector and in public
finance. Weprin wants to bring more affordable
housing and invest his efforts in education.
Political Ideology: Democrat
Experience: Weprin is a current State assembly
member and former City Councilman. He has
also served on the State’s Banking Board.
REPUBLICAN PRIMARY
Daby
Carreras
Carreras comes from a
Puerto Rican and Cuban
background. He helped
develop the non-profit
organization BRANDO.
Carreras’ platform
includes fighting corruption, women’s equality,
and a focus on pension funds and seniors.
Political Ideology: Republican
Experience: Carrera is a money manager who
has previously run for City Council and State
Assembly. He previously served as vice president
of the Manhattan Republican Party.
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