Exclusive: John Mannion endorses state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli in Democratic primary

Rep. John Mannion is endorsing incumbent New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli in his re-election bid, The NewsHouse exclusively reports. 

“Nobody delivers for Central New York and the Mohawk Valley like Tom DiNapoli, and it’s my honor to endorse him for another term as New York State Comptroller,” Mannion said. 

“Tom has more than doubled our state’s retirement fund, ensuring more than a million public servants will receive the pensions they’ve earned,” Mannion added. “Tom’s reports and audits are essential to helping farms, supporting economic growth, and protecting us from the economic chaos of Donald Trump’s second term.” 

Mannion represents New York’s 22nd Congressional District in the House of Representatives as a Democrat, which includes the cities of Syracuse, Utica, Rome and Auburn. 

DiNapoli is running for his sixth term as comptroller. He has served in the role for 19 years.   

“John Mannion never backs down from tough fights, taking down Republicans to win his State Senate and Congressional seats, and pushing back against a Trump agenda that fails working families,” DiNapoli said. “I’m glad to have Congressmember Mannion by my side as I run for re-election so I can keep protecting New York families and retirees.”

This election marks the first time DiNapoli has faced a primary challenger. He faces Drew Warshaw, the former COO of an affordable housing nonprofit, and Raj Goyle, a former member of the Kansas House of Representatives.

DiNapoli was named the designee of the New York State Democratic Party at the February nominating convention in Syracuse. Warshaw and Goyle must collect a requisite number of signatures to appear on the ballot in June without the party’s designation. 

A poll released Tuesday by the Siena Research Institute found that 65% of respondents have never heard of DiNapoli or “don’t know enough to have an opinion.” 

DiNapoli told The NewsHouse in February that he was “not fazed” by low name recognition. 

“My name ID is always low and I always get more votes than anybody else when the ballots are counted,” DiNapoli said. 

Mannion attended Bishop Ludden High School in Syracuse and later taught high school biology at Christian Brothers Academy in Syracuse and Nottingham High School, which is part of the Syracuse City School District. He was later the president of the West Genesee Teachers’ Association prior to joining the New York State Senate.