A Democratic activist who successfully helped push for a state ban on cellphones in schools announced Monday a primary run against state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli in 2026.
Raj Goyle, founder of the group Phone Free New York, said he’ll look to take out DiNapoli in what is shaping up to be his most serious election challenge since he was appointed in 2007 and won a full term in 2010.
Goyle, 50, called DiNapoli a “do nothing, go along, get along Democrat” in comments to The Post.
“We need a fighter right now,” he said.
A tech executive and lawyer, Goyle served in the Kansas state House of Representatives and lost a federal congressional race against Republican Mike Pompeo, who would later become secretary of state in the first Trump administration.
Goyle mocked DiNapoli after seeing a Politico profile that said he does not have a computer or email, and people wishing to contact him must go through the email account of his assistant.
“DiNapoli bragged he doesn’t use a computer,” Goyle said.
Goyle is the second Democrat joining the primary to take on DiNapoli, 71.
Drew Warshaw, an affordable housing nonprofit executive, announced his candidacy back in May.
DiNapoli will not be easy to beat. He has more than $600,000 in campaign cash on hand and is one of the few politicians who is viewed as well-liked — more a conciliator than a saber rattler.
Fellow Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul also is running for re-election next year.
Goyle said he would be more aggressive in leveraging the power of the office to help New Yorkers.
The comptroller is sole overseer of the state’s mammoth $280 billion state pension system, and Goyle said he would look to invest in New York affordable housing projects.
He said he will attack waste, fraud and abuse — wherever it leads — and go after unsavory characters in the health care sector and other industries who overbill New Yorkers.
Goyle said he will also take a “very hard look” at the $350 million the state comptroller invests in Israel Bonds amid displeasure over conduct of the Gaza war.
DiNapoli has been a staunch supporter of investments in Israel Bonds, unlike New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, who has divested decades of city holdings in the Jewish state’s government bonds.
Goyle said it’s time for more assertive leadership.
“He’s been on the ballot for 20 years. So tell me, `What’s his name? What does he do,” Goyle said of DiNapoli in a campaign video launch of his campaign.
DiNapoli had no immediate comment.
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