Re­pub­lican comp­troller, attorney general can­di­dates take aim at De­mo­c­ratic in­cum­bents in Western New York – Spectrum News

Re­pub­lican comp­troller, attorney general can­di­dates take aim at De­mo­c­ratic in­cum­bents in Western New York  Spectrum News

Both candidates argued that the state needs a change in leadership. BUFFALO, N.Y. — With Election Day just days away, two Republican candidates running for statewide office brought their campaigns to Western New York on Friday, criticizing their Democratic opponents over government spending, public safety and accountability. Joseph Hernandez, the Republican candidate for state comptroller, promised to examine Buffalo’s troubled finances if elected, while attorney general candidate Saritha Komatireddy accused incumbent Letitia James of putting politics ahead of prosecuting crime. Both candidates argued that the state needs a change in leadership, but their proposals also raise questions about what they could accomplish within the authority of their respective offices. Speaking outside Buffalo City Hall, Hernandez took direct aim at Mayor Sean Ryan, calling him “utterly, in my opinion, incompetent.” Hernandez said an examination of Buffalo’s finances would be among his first priorities if he defeats Democratic State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli.

“I will follow the money. I want to expose the waste,” Hernandez said, adding that he wants to determine where the city’s money is going. But Buffalo’s finances have already been the subject of a state review. Ryan previously requested an independent examination of the city’s finances. In April, DiNapoli’s office agreed to conduct a limited-scope budget review instead of a formal audit. The review, released in May, identified a