California State Controller Choose 1
.★★★ IMPORTANT ★★★By clicking the small "Read More" link below, EXPAND this compressed “About This Race” window.To read the responses under "Meet the candidates," click inside the “View Answers” or “Compare Answers” boxes of BOTH runoff candidates; then SCROLL DOWN.…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………★ BASIC DUTIES OF THE OFFICE ★The State Controller is the state's bookkeeper.As the state’s chief fiscal officer, serves as the state’s accountant and bookkeeper of all public funds.Administers the state payroll system and unclaimed property laws and conducts audits and reviews of state operations.Serves on the Board of Equalization, the Board of Control, and other boards and commissions.Term: 4 years (renewable once, if voters re-elect). Base Salary: $196,743 as of Dec. 1, 2025. (Source)Incumbent: Malia M. Cohen, Democratic Party. Now in her 1st term and eligible for re-election.…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………★ PAID STATEMENTS OF QUALIFICATIONS ★All candidates for State Controller who accepted a campaign spending limit of $11,767,000 were eligible to purchase space for a statement in the state Voter Information Guide, at the rate of $25 per word, not to exceed 250 words ($6,250).Controller Candidate Statements by Malia M. Cohen, Democratic Party, and Herb W. Morgan, Republican Party:English (HTML, or Page 86 of this 176-page PDF)Available in these other languages in early September: • Español / Spanish • 中文 / Chinese • हिन्दी / Hindi • 日本語 / Japanese • ខ្មែរ / Khmer • 한국어 / Korean • Tagalog • ภาษาไทย/ Thai • Tiếng Việt / Vietnamese.………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………★ CAMPAIGN FINANCE DATA ★ (Source, as of September 1, 2026).Direct fundraising totals:(1456350) Malia Cohen for Controller 2026 has raised $1,084,729.91 in 437 contributions(1480103) Herb Morgan For State Controller 2026 has raised $290,740.34 in 226 contributions.Total independent expenditures ("outside money"—by unions, etc.—spent to support or oppose a candidate):Cohen, Malia: $11,542.90 in 17 independent expenditure to support; $0.00 in 0 independent expenditure to opposeMorgan, Herb: $10,000.00 in 1 independent expenditure to support; $0.00 en 0 independent expenditures to oppose.Additional resources:For the top ten contributors (above a certain threshold) to campaigns for State elected offices, visit fppc.ca.gov/search-filings/top-10-contributors-list/june-2026-primary-election.For details of all contributors to candidates for State elected offices, visit powersearch.sos.ca.gov/advanced.php.For details of independent expenditures by groups in support of (or in opposition to) candidates for State elected offices, visit powersearch.sos.ca.gov.………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………TO VIEW INFORMATION SHARED BY THE CANDIDATES (more coming soon, so check back!):Beneath the large "Meet the candidates" text below, click inside the “View Answers” or “Compare Answers” boxes of each candidate you want to view. Then SCROLL ALL THE WAY DOWN to read the responses.………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Biographical Information
Ballot Designation
State Controller/Mother
Candidate's Political Party
Democratic Party
Campaign Email
info@maliacohenforca.com
Campaign Website
http://maliacohenforca.com
1. If elected, what are your top 3 priorities?
Candidate has not yet responded.
2. What background, experience and/or education qualify you for this elected office? (You may use your candidate statement here if desired.)
Candidate statement: Malia M. Cohen
As California State Controller, Malia Cohen serves as the state’s chief fiscal officer, safeguarding the finances of the world’s fourth-largest economy. She is running for re-election to ensure taxpayer dollars are managed with transparency, accountability, and fairness. A lifelong Californian, Malia understands firsthand the promise of our state and the urgency of protecting it for future generations. A working mom and dedicated public servant, she believes budgets are moral documents that should reflect our shared values and invest in people, not special interests. As Controller, Malia has strengthened fiscal transparency by expanding public access to financial and payroll data, giving Californians a clear view of how public dollars are spent. She has released timely monthly cash reports to help keep California fiscally strong during economic uncertainty, reunited all 58 counties with millions in unclaimed property, and honored local governments for excellence in accurate financial reporting. She has also advanced the long overdue modernization of California’s payroll system to better serve public workers statewide. At a time when trust in government matters more than ever, Malia Cohen is committed to protecting California’s financial future and making the California Dream real for every community. Join teachers, nurses, firefighters, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, healthcare workers, operating engineers, plumbers, pipefitters, electrical workers, and working folks across California in supporting Malia Cohen for Controller. Learn more at: MaliaCohenForCA.com
Biographical Information
Ballot Designation
Chief Investment Officer
Candidate's Political Party
Republican Party
Campaign Email
Info@herbmorgan.com
Campaign Website
http://herbmorgan.com
Campaign Phone
619-306-6956
Campaign Mailing Address
P.O. Box 730
Hilmar, CA 95324
Hilmar, CA 95324
Campaign Twitter Handle
@Herb4controller
1. If elected, what are your top 3 priorities?
1. Radical Transparency: Put California's $320B+ budget on blockchain ledger in near time public dashboards so every taxpayer can see every dollar in real time.
2. Artificial Intelligence analysis of daily spending to identify patterns worthy of further human analysis.
3. Fully accountability - audits. Follow the money and ensure every dollar spent delivers results for Californians.
2. What background, experience and/or education qualify you for this elected office? (You may use your candidate statement here if desired.)
39 Years financial services executive. CEO, Entrepreneur, Chief Investment Officer, former public pension board chairman. BA Economics (Honors)
Official candidate statement:
The State Controller does not set policy. The Controller is tasked with ensuring efficiency in state government through pre-audits and approval of expenditures, followed by rigorous post-audits that verify performance and proper use of funds. I will deliver for the people by placing all expenditures in an easy-to-use online database with transaction-level detail and near real-time reporting, so every Californian can see exactly how public funds are used. This transparency builds trust and directs resources more effectively to classrooms, communities, and essential programs. www.herbmorgan.com