About

Selah Strong became New York City's first Comptroller in 1802, just a year after the office was established in 1801. Strong purchased a portion of Cornell Farm near Baltic Street in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn, and was reported to have resided on this property. Although the boroughs had yet to be consolidated, this made the first Comptroller a Brooklynite. The street where his property was located can still be found today on Strong Place, named in his honor.

Benjamin Romaine served as the second Comptroller. In 1805, the Board of Alderman voted to remove Strong from office and appoint Romaine as his successor. Before this position, Romaine had served as a schoolteacher.

Eager to remove Romaine, the Federalists, and Quids moved quickly in 1806, voting to replace Romaine with Isaac Stoutenburg, a Federalist.

Jacob Morton was appointed in 1807. Morton graduated with a law degree from the College of New Jersey, now Princeton. At the first inauguration of George Washington, he served as the Marshall. Morton would later lead the New York Militia during the War of 1812. Throughout his career, Morton was an active Freemason and, at one point, was Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of New York.

Thomas Mercein, originally a printer, spent time in the New York State Artillery, commanding a regiment and earning the title of Colonel. He also served as President of the Mechanics Society, Equitable Insurance Company, and Fire Insurance Company. During his tenure as Comptroller, he established the City’s first sinking fund to pay debt service. He died in 1843 at age 61 after two years of illness.

Talman J. Waters served as Comptroller from 1831 until 1836 and from 1846 until 1849. Following his service to the City, he served as Secretary to the Erie Railroad and Cashier of the Custom House.

John Ewen was Comptroller from 1845-1848 but held many other significant roles across the City, including Chief Engineer for the New York and Harlem Railroad, Street Commissioner of New York City, and President of the Pennsylvania Coal Company. Additionally, like many Comptrollers of his time, Ewen spent time in the military, serving in New York’s National Guard as Brigadier General during the Civil War. Ewen was also a civil engineer who helped plan and survey Williamsburg.

John L. Lawrence graduated from Columbia College and was a lawyer who served in several civic positions. Before being elected to the New York Assembly, he was appointed Charge d’Affaires in Stockholm, Sweden, for the United States in 1814. Lawrence then served as an elector in 1840 at the Presidential Convention. Shortly after, he served in the State Senate from 1847 until 1849. In 1849, Lawerence was appointed Comptroller but only served for two months until his death. Lawrence’s wife, Sarah Aufusta, was the daughter of General John Smith - a Senator from New York. The couple had eleven children. Additionally, Lawrence’s mother, Ruth Riker, was from the family for which Rikers Island was named.

Azariah C. Flagg, born in Vermont, began apprenticing with a printer at just 11 years old. After pursuing a career in printing and publishing, he moved to New York and founded a weekly newspaper - The Plattsburgh Republican. He served in the War of 1812, and he proceeded to serve in the legislature from 1823-1826. In 1829, Governor Clinton appointed Flagg Secretary of State. Flagg was a part of politicians referred to as the “Albany Regency,” a group that would become the Democratic Party in New York State. From 1834 until 1839 and from 1843 until 1846, Flagg served as the State Comptroller. In 1853, Flagg became the New York City Comptroller. He resigned in 1859 as he developed blindness. Even after he left, Flagg remained involved in public service and advocacy. Flagg had many children with his wife, Phoebe Maria Cole. Flagg left a significant legacy of public service and wide respect for his dedication to New York City and State. Flagg is buried in Greenwood Cemetery.

Robert T. Haws was a merchant for most of his career but stepped into public service during the last decade of his life. He served as a member of the Board of Alderman for four years, during which he never missed a meeting. He served as New York City Comptroller from 1859 until 1863.

Matthew T. Brennan was born in New York City to two Irish parents. Brennan’s father died when he was young, and he and his four siblings were raised by their mother. Brennan spent most of his life working for the City. He started his career volunteering for the fire department and became the Foreman of Fulton Engine 21. He worked as a bartender at Monroe and opened his own business for a few years before returning to Monroe Hall as owner. Brennan then went on to become Police Justice. Following this role, he became Comptroller in 1863. After serving as Comptroller, he was appointed Police Commissioner and then Sherif. As Sherif, Brennan was held responsible for the negligence of a few of his officers when a prisoner was able to escape under their watch. Brennan served 30 days at the Ludlow Street Jail.

Richard Connolly was born in Cork, Ireland. Connolly’s time as Comptroller was dominated by Boss Tweed and the Tweed Ring. He is even referred to as the unofficial chief financier of the group. Connolly started in politics as a clerk before becoming an assistant auditor at the Custom House. There, he began a plot to remove the Auditor but was soon discovered and fired. Subsequently, he worked as a discount clerk at the Bank of North America before being elected County Clerk and then State Senator in 1861. Following this, he clerked in the Central National Bank but had his eyes set on the Comptroller’s office. Tammany Hall nominated him for comptroller, and he was elected in 1867 and sworn in in January 1868. Between 1868 and 1871, at least $30,000,000 was fraudulently diverted from the City Treasury. Collectively, the Tammany Frauds added $100,000,000 to the City’s debt. Connolly resigned in 1871 and was arrested and indicted. However, he was released on bail and fled abroad, never to return back to the United States and be held accountable for his crimes. He died in France in 1880. Connolly had a son and two daughters.

Of his predecessors, Andrew Haswell Green left arguably the most significant legacy, as his contributions to the City are evident today. Green was born in Worcester, Massachusetts. His family held deep ties to the early settlers in New England, with some ancestors arriving on the Mayflower. Before moving to New York City, Green spent time in Trinidad managing a sugar refining plantation. From 1855 until 1860, he served as the President of New York City’s Board of Education. Afterwards, he became Comptroller of the Central Park Commission and was extremely influential in the planning and development of the park. Green was then appointed City Comptroller in 1871, and he was largely tasked with cleaning up the widespread impacts of the Tweed Ring’s corruption. During his tenure, Green reduced the City’s annual spending, saving the treasury millions and preventing further disaster. Thirty-two years later, in 1903, in a case of mistaken identity, Green was shot and killed outside his home on Park Avenue and 40th Street. Cornelius Williams, the assailant, mistakenly recognized Green as the man having an affair with his wife. Green’s impact on the City continues to be felt by present-day New Yorkers. He was largely involved in creating many of the City’s cultural landmarks, including Central Park, the New York Public Library, the Bronx Zoo, the American Museum of Natural History, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Additionally, Green was a staunch supporter of the consolidation of the five boroughs, later earning him the name ‘Father of Greater New York.’

John Kelly was born in New York City to two Irish immigrants. His relationship with the immigrant community and their widespread support of him made Kelly very influential and largely helped his success, as they were the largest voting group at the time. Kelly began his career volunteering as a firefighter but quickly became involved in civil service. Before becoming Sheriff of New York in 1857, he was elected as Alderman of the Tammany Society and served in Congress. While the Sheriff's position was unpaid, besides obtaining a percentage of fees, Kelly still earned about $800,000 in ten years, suggesting questionable means. In 1868, Kelly’s wife died, followed by his three children shortly thereafter. Overcome with grief, he struggled for several years before leaving the City. Kelly returned three years later and served as Comptroller from 1876 to 1880, where he worked to further Green’s efforts to lessen the City’s debt. During his tenure, the debt was reduced by $12,000,000. He ran for governor in 1879 and lost.

Allan Campbell was born in Albany, NY in 1815. He worked as a civil engineer and built the first-ever railroad to operate in South America, connecting Lima to Callao, Peru. He also served as the chief engineer and President of the New York and Harlem Railroad. In 1874, he was appointed Commissioner of the Department of Public Works; in 1880, he was appointed Comptroller. Two years later, he was the citizen’s candidate for mayor, but he lost to Franklin Edison. In 1883, he resigned for health reasons.

S. Hastings Grant was appointed to replace Allan Campell when he resigned for health reasons. Before Comptroller, he was Mayor Franklin Edson’s private secretary. Grant studied at Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, Princeton College, and Yale University. He worked as a librarian at the Mercantile Library and was active in many religious organizations, such as the Madison-Square Presbyterian Church and the American Bible Society.

Edward V. Loew was the first Comptroller to be elected rather than appointed. He served from 1884 - 1887. Before this position, he served as President of the Manufacturers and Builders Fire Insurance Company of New York. Notably, Loew sued the New York Times for $100,000 in damages in 1887, claiming libel due to their accusations of him favoring contracts. It is unclear how that case was concluded. Following his role as Comptroller, he served as President of American Savings Bank and Treasurer of Copper Stock Investments.

Theodore W. Myers, a New York City native, served as Comptroller from 1888 until 1893. During his tenure, Myers negotiated a loan of $14,000,000 at an interest rate of 2.5% - the lowest rate known at the time for a municipal government. This action gained widespread praise and notoriety for both Myers and the City as compared to other large municipalities at the time. Prior to this role, he served for one year as Parks Commissioner and was the first president of the Business Men’s Democratic Association. During the Civil War, Myers served as a Captain in the 3rd Regiment. Later, he was Captain in the 9th Regiment of the New York National Guard. Myers married Rosalie Hard, whose grandfather was Bernard Hart, a prominent businessman and one of the founders of the New York Stock Exchange. They had one son, George L. Myers, who graduated from Columbia College. Myers was involved in many social and cultural organizations.

Ashbel B. Fitch was a lawyer and politician who served as New York City Comptroller from 1894 until 1897. Fitch was born in rural upstate New York but moved to the City when he was 10 years old. He went to public schools and then to Williston Seminary in Massachusetts. Subsequently, he studied at Jena University, Berlin University, and Columbia Law School. He was fluent in German. Fitch served four terms in the House of Representatives from 1887 until 1893. He was elected Comptroller as the nominee of Tammany Hall, but when the City consolidated following his first term, the Republican party defeated Fitch. Notably, his father founded the Republican Party in northern New York. Following his tenure, Fitch founded the Trust Company of America and served as its President until his death. Throughout his life, Fitch was involved in many civic and cultural organizations, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Sons of the Revolution, the Chamber of Commerce, and President of the Franklin County Society. Fitch had three sons and three daughters with his wife Lizzie Cross.

Bird S. Coler was born in Illinois in 1868 but raised in Brooklyn and attended Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute. Coler was elected Comptroller in 1897, making him the first Comptroller of New York City following its consolidation. This greatly expanded the scope of the office’s powers and, naturally, its constituency. One of his largest actions in this role was to retain control of the City’s water supply when a private company attempted to take it over. He ran for Governor in 1902 but lost and was elected Brooklyn Borough President three years later. There, he was known for his success in pushing for the completion of the 4th ave subway that would connect the boroughs. Following this role, he served as Commissioner of Public Welfare for eleven years. Coler Specialty Hospital on Roosevelt Island is named after the former Comptroller.

Edward M. Grout was born in New York City in 1861. He attended public schools in the City and then Colgate University for both undergraduate and law school. He ran for Mayor of Brooklyn in 1895 but lost to the Republican candidate. He was then an advocate for the consolidation of the boroughs and was Chairman of the Consolidation League. Grout was elected the first Borough President of Brooklyn and served in that role from 1897 until 1901. In 1901, he was elected Comptroller and served until 1905. In 1905, he was a candidate for Governor, and from 1894 until 1904, served as a Judge Advocate and Major in the New York State National Guard. He also served as a Trustee of Colgate University. Both before and after his political career, Grout served as a trial lawyer. In 1889, Grout married Ida L. Loeschigk and they had two children.

Herman A. Metz was born in New York City in 1867. Throughout his career, Metz held many civic and political positions. From 1906 until 1909, he served as Comptroller, during which he was a part of the commission tasked with drafting the New York City Charter. From there, Metz served one term in Congress from 1913 until 1915. He also served in the New York National Guard and was a Lieutenant Colonel in World War One. Moreover, Metz founded the Kings County Democratic Club in Brooklyn and was a delegate at the Democratic National Convention in 1904, 1908, and 1920. He also served on both the Brooklyn and New York City Boards of Education. Hamilton-Metz Field in Brooklyn is named for the late Comptroller and Alexander Hamilton.

William A. Prendergast first served in public office as Register of Brooklyn in 1907. He then became Comptroller in 1910 and served until 1917. He is known for reorganizing the department and bookkeeping, which positioned the City’s finances more favorably when World War I broke out soon after his tenure. He then served as Chairman of the State Public Service Commission from 1921 until 1930. Prendergast also served as President of New York and Honduras Rosario Mining Company and Vice President of the Long Island Lighting Company. His final position before he passed was as a Director of the Montana, Wyoming, and Southern Railroad. Prendergast wrote four books, mostly regarding his time in municipal government. He married Mary Agnes Hull and had three children.

Charles L. Craig was born in Illinois in 1872. He attended Washington University in Saint Louis, where he remained after graduation, working in construction. Craigh moved to New York at 28 to attend Columbia Law School. He practiced law until he was elected Comptroller in 1918. Craig served two terms as Comptroller, during which he was convicted of contempt of court in 1921 after criticizing a federal judge. Although he was sentenced to sixty days, President Coolidge remitted the sentence in 1923, and Craig avoided any time in jail. Craig married May Josephine Creiver shortly after he moved to New York.

Charles W. Berry was born in Green County, NY, but moved to Brooklyn when he was 9 years old. He attended New York University and Columbia Medical School. Before entering politics, Berry worked as a doctor in Brooklyn specializing in children’s diseases. He served as Comptroller from 1926 until 1933, during which he was a strong advocate for defining the policy regarding the funding of the subway’s construction. He was also known for changing how the City acquired land, specifically parks, and school property, saving the City millions. Berry also served in the National Guard of New York from 1923 until 1925, on the Reconstruction Labor Board of New York, and as Chairman of the New York Fair Price Coal Commission. Following his political career, Berry resumed practicing medicine but fell ill shortly after and moved to Charlottesville with his family. Berry married Nina La Plante, and they had five sons and three daughters.

George McAneny served as Comptroller for a short period in 1933 but cemented his legacy in New York City through the various civic and political positions he held. Born in Greenville, New Jersey, in 1869, McAney worked as a journalist after graduating high school and then as a lawyer, helping with the Pennsylvania Station negotiations between New York State and the Pennsylvania Railroad. His first elected position was as Manhattan Borough President in 1909, followed by his time as President of the Board of Alderman in 1913. McAneny was a champion of modern zoning and planning in each of those roles and found funding to restore City Hall and ensure that a courthouse would not be built, overshadowing the iconic building. In this plan, he also saved Tweed Courthouse, which was to be demolished. In 1915, he returned to journalism, working as a business manager at the New York Times until serving as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of City College from 1916 until 1925. Then, in 1927, he served as President of the Municipal Art Society. Shortly thereafter, he organized and became President of the New York World’s Fair from 1935 to 1936. Throughout his career, he served as President of many City organizations, such as the City Club of New York, the Regional Plan Association, the Title Guarantee and Trust Company, and the American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society. McAneny also served as Chairman of the New York City Transit Commission. In all of his various capacities, he was known for his opposition of many of Robert Moses’ plans, which would disrupt historic and cultural landmarks and views throughout New York.

W. Arthur Cunningham was Comptroller for a short time in 1934 before his sudden death at 39 years old. Cunningham was born in Manhattan, and his father was an engineer for the Fire Department. He grew up in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, and went to St. James Academy and then Fordham Law School. Cunningham served in France during the First World War, where he was wounded and awarded the Croix de Guerre. When he returned, he worked as a judge advocate of the general corps and Vice President of the National Rainbow Division Veterans Association. He then worked as counsel, followed by Vice President of the Textile Banking Corporation until 1933. Then, after Mayor LaGuardia encouraged him to run, Cunningham was elected Comptroller in 1933. During his short tenure, he revealed that the City needed to raise $185,222,000 to meet its budget requirements for the next year. The report warned that the City’s finances were not in good shape and demanded dramatic and quick action at both the City and State levels. Cunningham lived in Forest Hills, Queens, with his wife, Agness Quinn, and their two sons. Cunningham Park in Queens was named in his honor.

Joseph McGoldrick was born in Brooklyn in 1901. He graduated from Erasmus Hall High School, Columbia University, and Fordham Law School. McGoldrick first worked in the Comptroller's office as a Deputy to Comptroller Cunningham, but in 1934, when he died suddenly, Mayor LaGuardia appointed McGoldrick. When he ran later that year to continue his tenure as Comptroller, he lost.

Frank J. Taylor was born in Manhattan in 1884 to two Irish American parents, who passed away when he was a young child. Shortly thereafter, he was adopted and raised in Red Hook, Brooklyn. Taylor served in the Assembly from 1912 until 1925, representing Brooklyn. In 1926, he was elected Brooklyn Sheriff, and in 1930, he served as Commissioner of Public Welfare In this role, he surveyed the five boroughs, examining the unemployment rates in each area. Taylor determined that there were 1,000,000 unemployed individuals in the City. In 1935, he was elected Comptroller, serving until 1937. Taylor is regarded as having helped the City pull its finances back together after the major impacts of the Great Depression. Following this role, he served as Commissioner of the Port of New York Authority and as President of the American Merchant Marine Institute.

In 1937, when Mayor Laguardia ran for a second term, McGoldrick ran again for Comptroller and won. He won again four years later, serving a total of nine years as Comptroller. McGoldrick went on to become the Commissioner of the New York State Residential Rent Control and founded a law firm in 1948. In 1958, McGoldrick began teaching at Queens College, where he eventually chaired the Political Science Department. He also taught at the New School, Baruch College, and Columbia University. In addition to these roles, McGoldrick was a founder and the treasure for the New York City of Music and Drama and served on the Board of the Industrial Home for the Blind. McGoldrick died in Savannah, Georgia, in 1978 and was survived by his wife, three daughters, and two grandchildren.

Lazarus Joseph was born in 1891 on the Lower East Side. He attended PS 2, High School of Commerce, and New York University Law School. He played basketball in college and continued to coach throughout his life. Joseph’s grandfather was Rabbi Jacob Joseph, one of the City’s most famous rabbis and, for some time, the Chief Rabbi of New York City. Early in his career in 1931, Joseph served as a Deputy Assistant to State Attorney John J. Bennett in his Security Frauds Bureau. He was then elected to the State Senate in 1934, where he served six terms. Following this, Joseph served as Comptroller from 1946 until 1954. He was a staunch opponent of the subway’s fare increase from 10 to 15 cents in 1953 and advocated for Kosher Meat Laws during his campaign for Comptroller. A Shomer Shabbos, Joseph spent much of his life active in Jewish and civic groups, including the United Jewish Appeal and the Federation of Jewish Philanthropies of New York. He married Henrietta Haft, and they had two children.

Lawrence E. Gerosa was born in Milan, Italy in 1894 but moved to New Jersey when he was a baby. Gerosa stopped going to school when he was 11 to work at a glass factory. Before getting his start in politics, he spent many years working in haulage and rigging, where he was very successful. Gerosa served as Comptroller from 1954 to 1961, during which he claimed to save taxpayers more than $1,000,000 a year as he secured higher interest rates on City funds. He subsequently worked for his successors - Beame and Procaccino - on their respective campaigns for Mayor. He married his wife Marion in 1936 and then lived in Riverdale with their son and two daughters.

Abraham Beame was born in London, England in 1906 to Polish and Jewish parents but moved to New York City shortly after his birth. He grew up on the Lower East Side and attended the High School of Commerce and then City College. When Beame graduated from college, he started an accounting firm but was forced to pivot to teaching at Richmond High School once the Great Depression hit. It was during this time that he joined the Madison Democratic Club in Brooklyn and started to get more involved in politics. Before long, he began working as an organizer advocating for many Democratic candidates. He later hosted the New York City Democratic Convention, nominating Jimmy Carter. In 1946, Beame secured his first government job with Mayor O’Dwyer as an Assistant Budget Director. He was later promoted to Budget Director, managing a budget that was second only to the federal government’s resources and complexities. Beame was elected Comptroller in 1961, ran and lost the Mayor’s race in 1965, and successfully ran again for Comptroller in 1969. He ran again for Mayor in 1973 and won, becoming the City’s first Jewish Mayor and the only Comptroller to become Mayor. He served as Mayor from 1974 until 1977, but his term was overshadowed by a major municipal fiscal crisis and a rise in crime, e.g., terrorist attacks in stores and offices and the arrest of thousands during a widespread blackout, etc. In 1976. Beame married Mary Ingerman and had two sons. They lived near Prospect Park in Brooklyn.

Mario Procaccinio was born in Bisaccia, Italy, in 1912 and moved to the Bronx when he was 9 years old. Procaccino attended Dewitt Clinton High School, City College, and Fordham Law School. He credited Mayor Laguardia with why he entered into public service after the two met at a rally hosted by an Italian-American organization. He held many roles before being elected Comptroller in 1965, including as a municipal and civil court judge, Director of the Mortgage Banking and Housing agency, chief law assistant at the Bronx Supreme Court, and Deputy Comptroller. He served as Comptroller until 1970. Procaccinio lost a bid for Mayor in 1969 but went on to serve as Special Assistant to the Governor, as a Commissioner of Taxation and Finance, a member of the Battery Park City Authority, and as President of the State Tax Commission. He had a daughter with his wife Maria.

Harrison J. Goldin was born and raised in the Bronx, graduating from Bronx High School of Science. His father was a doctor, and his grandfather was a Rabbi. He attended Princeton, Harvard, and Yale Law School before becoming a civil rights lawyer in Mississippi for a short period. Goldin was elected to the State Senate in 1965. Then, in 1973, he was elected Comptroller, serving from 1974 until 1989, making him the longest individual to hold this role. During his tenure, he removed any investments in companies that were doing business with South Africa, joining others in a larger movement to divest, protesting apartheid in the country. Following his time as Comptroller, Goldin opened Goldin Associates LLC, where he remains a Senior Managing Director. During his career, he has taught at New York Law School, Cardozo Law School, New York University - Stern School of Business, and Columbia Law School. He has also served as a Trustee at the Museum of Modern Art and Founding Chair at the Council of Institutional Investors.

Elizabeth Holtzman was born in Brooklyn in 1941. She attended Abraham Lincoln High School, Radcliffe College, and Harvard Law School. Holtzman started public service in 1970 when she won a seat as district leader in Flatbush. Just two years later, she was elected to Congress, beating then-Congressman Emanuel Celler, a longtime incumbent and Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. Her victory was a major upset and shook the party, especially since she was, at the time, the youngest woman ever elected to Congress. She served for four terms and is known for her involvement in the impeachment process of President Nixon and helping to found the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues. Following her time in Congress, she was elected District Attorney of Brooklyn, making her the first woman in New York City to hold this position. Moreover, Holtzman was also the first woman elected to a Citywide position when she became Comptroller in 1990. She remains the only woman to have served in this role. From there, she served on the Response Systems to Adult Sexual Assault Crimes panel, working to improve the process by which sexual assault claims were handled in the military. Additionally, she served as Chair of the Judicial Proceedings Panel and on an advisory committee of the Department of Homeland Security. Currently, she counsels and is Co-chair of the Government Relations Group at Herrick. Holzman has written several books and appears regularly as a commentator.

Alan G. Hevesi was born in Manhattan in 1940 to Jewish immigrants who met in Queens after both having fled Hungary shortly before World War II. Hevesi attended Queens College, where he played basketball, and Columbia University. Hevesi began a long career in public service as a member of the New York State Assembly, representing Forest Hills from 1971 to 1993. That year, he was elected New York City Comptroller, unseating incumbent Elizabeth Holtzman to become the city’s 47th Comptroller. During his tenure, he gained recognition for using the influence of his office to press Swiss banks to compensate Holocaust victims whose accounts had been unjustly closed or emptied.

After serving two terms and an unsuccessful mayoral bid, Hevesi was elected New York State Comptroller in 2002. His was unable to finish his first term, however, as he had to pay a state fine related to his use of staff for personal matters involving the care of his ailing wife, Carol Stanton. Highlighting his 30-year track record in public service and his opposition to the death penalty, his advocacy for reproductive rights, and his role in blocking the privatization of New York City’s water supply under Mayor Giuliani, Hevesi was re-elected as New York State Comptroller in 2006. Shortly after assuming office, he plead guilty to charges related to misuse of government resources, resulting in a fine and the end of his career in elective office. In 2010, he accepted responsibility for additional charges in a separate case and served 20 months of a one-to-four-year sentence.

Carol Stanton passed away in 2015, and Alan G. Hevesi in 2023. They are survived by three children and three grandchildren.

William Thompson grew up in Bed Stuy, Brooklyn, and attended Midwood High School. In 1974, he graduated with a degree in Political Science from Tufts University, of which he remains a Trustee Emeritus. Thompson’s introduction to public service and politics began at a young age as his father was a justice in the Appellate Division of the New York Supreme Court, a City council member, and the first Black State Senator to be elected in Brooklyn. Prior to seeking elected office, Thompson worked for several politicians, including Congressman Fred Richmond and Brooklyn Borough President Howard Golden. He was then appointed to the Board of Education as the Brooklyn representative, eventually serving as President from 1996 until 2001. Later that year, he ran for Comptroller, serving from 2002 until 2009. Following his tenure as Comptroller, Thompson served as Chairman of the Board of the Hugh L. Carey Battery Park City Authority until 2012. In 2011, Governor Cuomo appointed him Chair of his Minority and Women Owned Business (M/WBE) Task Force and then Chairman of the New York State Housing Finance Agency and Chairman of the State of New York Mortgage Agency in 2015. Currently, Thompson is a Partner and Chief Administrative Officer at Siebert Cisneros Shank and Co.

John Liu was born in Taiwan and moved to New York City when he was 5-years-old. He attended Hunter College High School, Bronx High School of Science, and Binghamton University. Liu started his career as a professional actuary before serving in the City Council from 2002-2009 and as Comptroller from 2010-2013. Liu is the first Asian American to win both a legislative seat in New York City and a citywide election. He currently serves as a New York State Senator representing District 16. Liu lives in Flushing, Queens, with his wife Jenny and their son Joey.

Scott Stringer, a lifelong New Yorker, was born and raised in Washington Heights. He attended John F. Kennedy High School and John Jay College. Stringer grew up around politics as his late mother was a City council member and worked closely with Abe Beame, former Comptroller. She was also the cousin of Congresswoman Bella Abzug, for whom he began volunteering at a young age. In 1983, Stringer began his public service career serving as Legislative Assistant to then Assemblymember Jerry Nadler of the 67th district. In 1992, he was elected as the district’s new Assemblymember as Nadler went on to replace deceased Congressman Ted Weiss. Following this role, Stringer was elected Manhattan Borough President in 2005 and Comptroller in 2013, where he served for two terms. He lives on the Upper West Side with his wife, Elyse, and their two sons.

Brad Lander was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. After graduating from the University of Chicago and University College London, he moved to New York City and led the Fifth Avenue Committee and then the Pratt Center for Community Development, where he built and preserved thousands of units of affordable housing and created job training programs that helped over 5,000 New Yorkers find living-wage employment.

In 2009, Lander was elected to represent District 39 in the New York City Council, a seat he held for 12 years, where his numerous victories included raising pay and expanding rights for millions of working New Yorkers, strengthening tenant protections and creating thousands of units of affordable housing in Gowanus, investing in public schools, making New York City’s streets safer, and protecting and deepening our democracy, including bringing participatory budgeting to New York City.

Lander was elected as New York City Comptroller in 2021, and during his tenure, the Comptroller’s Office made historic investments in affordable housing, with the largest ever pension fund investment to preserve rent-stabilized units, and the city’s first social bonds, which have generated over $2 billion for low-income housing. Under Lander’s leadership, three of the City’s funds have adopted a detailed plan to reach net-zero emissions by 2040, among the most aggressive in the nation, and recovered $15 million for prevailing wage workers.

Brad lives with his wife, Meg Barnette, in Park Slope where they raised two children, Marek and Rosa.