New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson is running for city comptroller.
Johnson, 38, joins 13 other candidates vying for the job Scott Stringer is vacating for a mayoral run. Mayor Bill de Blasio is term-limited and cannot seek re-election.
Speaker since 2018 and the first openly gay person in that position, Johnson abandoned a run for mayor last September, citing mental health challenges including depression.
The comptroller’s 800-person office manages city bond issuance along with the Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget. It also audits city agencies; is fiduciary of five pension funds totaling roughly $240 billion in assets; examines the city’s budget and fiscal condition; reviews contracts; and resolves claims both on behalf of and against the city.
At a Tuesday press conference in Madison Square Park, Johnson emphasized New York’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic through effective use of federal dollars. The city is in store for roughly $6.1 billion from the package the House of Representatives is finalizing.
“Billions of dollars of relief funds are coming our way. That is good news for New York City’s comeback,” Johnson said. “But we are not out of the woods yet. Every single dollar of federal relief has to work for New Yorkers.
“I will be a strong and independent comptroller, who uses all the powers of the office to kickstart New York’s recovery.”
Johnson cited as familiarity with the city budget — he has regularly attended council finance committee hearings — and his advocacy for lower-income people, such as the Fair Fares subway discount program. Johnson also favors a
Other notable candidates for comptroller, a four-year position, include council member Brad Lander and state Sen. Kevin Parker, D-Brooklyn.
Johnson, a native of Beverly, Massachusetts, was first elected to the 51-member council in 2013. He represents portions of Manhattan’s West Side and before his election as speaker, chaired the hospitals committee.
