Wall Street Executive Announces Run for NYC Comptroller

John Burnett, a republican with 20 years of Wall Street experience, announced his run for New York City comptroller on June 24, 2013. (Courtesy www.johnburnett2013.com)

NEW YORK—John Burnett, a republican with 20 years of Wall Street experience, announced his run for New York City comptroller on June 24, 2013.

During his 20 years on Wall Street Burnett worked for Morgan Stanley, Merill Lynch, Citigroup, and McGraw-Hill. He has an MBA from Cornell University.

Burnett intends to reform the city’s pension system by combining all of its existing pension plans into one. According to his campaign website, the move would save New York City millions in administrative costs and fees related to managing five separate pension plans. Burnett also stresses reducing fiscal waste and government fraud, reducing unemployment by creating a sustainable environment for small businesses, and increasing government contracts awarded to minority and women-owned businesses.

Scott Stringer was the only candidate for New York City comptroller before Burnett announced his candidacy. Stringer has been the Manhattan borough president since 2006. Before that, he was a New York State Assemblyman representing Manhattan’s Upper West Side for 13 years. Stringer graduated from John Jay College of Criminal Justice.