Indian American Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar Weighs City Comptroller Candidacy

July 12 :
It has been a privilege to listen to New Yorkers from all five boroughs express the need for a strong comptroller who can bring about meaningful change for the city, the Queens Assemblymember said in a statement to the Queens Chronicle after forming an exploratory committee to evaluate her possibilities. Rajkumar brought attention to the hardships endured by New Yorkers despite the fact that the city boasts the world's most expensive healthcare system and the country's most extensive educational system.

Lifesaving healthcare, great education, and adequate transportation remain out of reach for the hardworking New Yorkers, while paying some of the nation's highest taxes. There is a clear absence of government accountability and return on investment in this case. Lives are being lost due to this government ineptitude. She informed the Queens Chronicle that she is considering running for city comptroller because she believes they can fix the problem.

After being the first Indian-American woman to be elected to a position in New York state, Rajkumar became an assemblywoman in 2021 after upsetting Mike Miller, an 11-year incumbent. Miller had degrees from Stanford Law and the Ivy League. She was appointed to the position of director of immigrant affairs for the state by then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo before her election.

Because she often appears at events outside of her district with Mayor Adams, donning her distinctive bright red dress, Rajkumar has become famously ubiquitous in the city. She is both a buddy and a beast, according to the mayor.

As the top financial official in New York City, the city comptroller is in charge of reviewing the mayor's proposed budget, making sure it's based on reasonable economic and fiscal assumptions, and offering advice on anything that could change the city's financial situation. The person chosen will be responsible for detecting instances of fraud and abuse while supervising five different public pension funds.