Exclusive | Wall Street investor Joseph Hernandez launches bid to oust longtime state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli

ALBANY – Wall Street exec Joseph Hernandez is throwing his hat in the ring to try to unseat longtime New York state comptroller Tom DiNapoli – arguing the position could be used to rein in incoming Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

Hernandez, a child of Cuban refugees who went on to make a name for himself leading biotech and pharmaceutical firms, made a long-shot independent bid for mayor this year.

Now, he’s setting his sights on the state gig, hoping to provide oversight of the Democratic socialist’s agenda as well as waste at state entities like the MTA.

“These things have to stop. I mean, the bleeding has to stop because we can’t ask the residents of the state of New York to pay more taxes,” Hernandez told The Post in an exclusive interview.

DiNapoli isn’t leveraging his power over billions of dollars of state contracts that flow through his office for approval, he argued.

“I know Wall Street. I’ve spent a big part of my career on Wall Street, and I know what investment looks like and should be. I know what audits look like and we’re not doing enough of that,” he added.

Hernandez would run as a Republican against the Democratic incumbent.

In a Siena University poll released Tuesday, just 35% of New Yorkers said they even knew who DiNapoli was, though the office carries immense power.

In addition to overseeing most state contracts over $50,000, the state comptroller also has the power to audit state and municipal governments and controls investments in New York’s massive $291 billion pension fund.

“I believe that the historical performance that the fund has seen is mediocre,” he said, arguing that he could do better.

The fund had a 5.9% return on investment last year.

He also says he would use pension funds to directly invest in regional economic development around the state.

“Why hasn’t the current comptroller been more aggressive about deploying capital to do both affordable housing development and also to bring in new industries to New York, especially the northern parts of the state where we need economic development,” Hernandez questioned.

The Wall Street investor can already tout the support of Francisco Marte, former head of the New York Bodega Association.

“Joseph Hernandez understands our community because he is an entrepreneur himself and knows what it means to operate on thin margins. I believe his focus on accountability and fiscal responsibility would bring long overdue relief to bodegas and small businesses across the state,” Marte said.

Hernandez fled Cuba with his parents as a child in 1980 during the Mariel boat lift.

“When a self-avowed communist won the Democrat primary for mayor, I felt an obligation to step forward to defend freedom and the American Dream,” he said.

DiNapoli is facing a three-way Democratic primary with Raj Goyle and Drew Warshaw.