Thomas P. DiNapoli’s commitment to organized labor began at home.
He was raised in a union household, growing up with an understanding of the value of hard work and the importance of standing up for working families.
His mother worked for Nassau County and a member of our union’s Nassau County Local. DiNapoli’s father served as a union steward for the Communication Workers of America.
Those values have guided his career in public service, from the Mineola Board of Education to the State Assembly and as New York State Comptroller since 2007.
At every opportunity, DiNapoli points out the critical role CSEA members play in keeping New York running by providing the essential services people rely on every day.
As Comptroller, DiNapoli’s primary responsibility is safeguarding the New York State Common Retirement Fund and protecting the retirement security of public employees.
The pension fund has grown from approximately $140 billion in 2006 to nearly $300 billion today. Due to DiNapoli’s sound investments, the fund remained well-funded through the 2008 financial crisis and periods of market volatility due to diversified investments, consistent employer contributions and strong returns.
“I don’t play politics with your money. I don’t gamble your money on unproven schemes,” said DiNapoli, emphasizing his approach to managing the pension fund and his commitment to protecting members’ retirement security.
The fund’s growth and resilience through periods of economic uncertainty is evidence that steady, experienced management matters when markets shift.
For CSEA members, that approach provides long-term stability and confidence that their retirement security is being managed with care, transparency and accountability.
For these reasons, CSEA recently announced our union’s endorsement of DiNapoli for re-election as State Comptroller, citing his consistent record of protecting public employees’ retirement security and providing steady fiscal oversight.
“CSEA is proud to endorse Comptroller Tom DiNapoli because he has always protected the retirement security of public employees, provided strong fiscal oversight, and stood with our union and our union members,” said CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan. “Tom DiNapoli has been a trusted partner and a friend to CSEA throughout his time in office.”
The endorsement also comes as DiNapoli’s primary opponent has discussed using the pension fund to advance political agendas, an approach that could put retirement security at risk if investment decisions are driven by politics rather than sound financial strategy.
Keeping DiNapoli as sole trustee of the fund will ensure investment decisions are made with stability, transparency, and long-term security in mind.
— Bryan Miller
