Malia Cohen seeks re-election as California controller Nov. 3

Pasadena voters will see the California state controller race on their Nov. 3 ballot. Incumbent Malia Cohen, a Democrat, is running for re-election against Republican Herb W. Morgan.

Cohen is the first African American elected as California state controller, according to Carnegie Mellon University.

Cohen said in her candidate statement filed with the California Secretary of State that she is running "to ensure taxpayer dollars are managed with transparency, accountability, and fairness."

Candidate information

Party: Democratic
Office sought: California State Controller
Born: Dec. 16, 1977, in San Francisco
Education: Bachelor's degree in political science, Fisk University (2000); master's degree in public policy and management, Carnegie Mellon University (2008)

Experience and public service

Cohen has held several elected and appointed positions. She served as a supervisor for District 10 on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and as board president from 2018 to 2019, according to the State Controller's Office. She also served as president of the San Francisco Employees' Retirement System.

Cohen served as chairwoman of the California State Board of Equalization beginning in 2019, according to public records. She has served as controller since 2023.

Before holding office, Cohen worked as a field organizer on Gavin Newsom's 2003 San Francisco mayoral campaign and later as a confidential secretary in the mayor's office under Newsom, according to her public biography. She also served as a legislative aide to Supervisor Rose Jacobs Gibson on the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors.

On the issues

These positions come from Cohen's campaign website and her candidate statement filed with the Secretary of State. They are the candidate's own claims.

Fiscal accountability: Cohen said she has expanded public access to financial and payroll data, released timely monthly cash reports, reunited all 58 counties with millions in unclaimed property and advanced modernization of the state's payroll system.

Housing: Cohen said she is working to expand housing availability at all income levels so residents can build their future in California.

Healthcare: Cohen said she is fighting to expand access and demand greater accountability around prescription drug prices.

Economy: Cohen said she will focus on job creation and job training, prioritizing communities of color and low-income communities.

Environment: Cohen said she is committed to action on climate change, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and holding polluters accountable.