Malia M. CohenIncumbent

Candidate for State Controller

Malia M. Cohen is the incumbent California State Controller. That is the state's top money officer. She is seeking a second term. The vote is set for November 3, 2026. She was born December 16, 1977. She grew up in San Francisco's Richmond District. She graduated from Lowell High School. She earned a B.A. in political science, from Fisk University. She earned an M.S. in public policy, from Carnegie Mellon University. Cohen won a seat on San Francisco's city board in November 2010. That is the Board of Supervisors, District 10. She served from 2011 to 2019. She won re-election in 2014. Her colleagues picked her as board president in 2018. In her San Francisco years she also served as a commissioner. That was for the city's Employees' Retirement System. She was also a member of the city's Transportation Authority. In November 2018 Cohen won a seat on the Board of Equalization, a state tax panel. She represented its 2nd district. She served from 2019 to 2023. She chaired it in 2019 and again in 2022. In 2022 she was elected state controller. She beat Republican Lanhee Chen. She received 5,936,856 votes (55.3%) to Chen's 4,789,345 (44.7%). She took office in January 2023. As controller she oversees how the state pays out its funds. She sits on many state boards too, including CalPERS and CalSTRS. In the June 2, 2026 primary, Cohen came in first, among three hopefuls. She won 4,909,613 votes (56.8%). Republican Herb W. Morgan advanced too, with 3,244,252 votes (37.5%). He founded a San Diego investment firm. That sets up their November matchup. Cohen has the state Democratic Party's backing. It came on the party's consent calendar, with 95.9% support, at its 2026 conference. Her other backers include Governor Gavin Newsom. They also include Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas and Senate leader Monique Limón. Labor groups back her too, such as Teamsters Joint Council 7. As of August 2026 she remains an active candidate. She campaigns on running state finances with transparency, efficiency, and fairness. Born December 16, 1977. Home: San Francisco area, California. Job: State Controller, the incumbent. Prior office: State Controller since 2023. Board of Equalization, 2nd District, 2019-2023. She chaired it in 2019 and 2022. San Francisco Board of Supervisors, District 10, 2011-2019. She was board president in 2018.

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