Malia Cohen seeks re-election as California controller

Malia Cohen, the Democratic incumbent, is running for re-election as California state controller in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. She faces Republican Herb W. Morgan.

Cohen is the first African American elected as California state controller, according to Carnegie Mellon University. She said in her candidate statement filed with the 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, California
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's career spans local and state government. She worked as a field organizer on Gavin Newsom's 2003 San Francisco mayoral campaign and later served as a confidential secretary in the office of the mayor of San Francisco under Newsom, according to her Wikipedia biography. She also worked as a legislative aide to Supervisor Rose Jacobs Gibson on the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors.

Cohen served on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors representing District 10 and was 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 and as chair of the California State Board of Equalization beginning in 2019. She has held the controller's office since 2023.

On the issues

The following positions are drawn from Cohen's campaign website and her official candidate statement filed with the California Secretary of State. They reflect the candidate's own claims.

Fiscal accountability: Cohen said she has strengthened fiscal transparency by expanding 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 California's payroll system. She said budgets "are moral documents that should reflect our shared values and invest in people, not special interests."

Housing: On housing, Cohen said she is working to expand 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 so no one has to choose between medicine and basic necessities. She also said she will fight to protect reproductive health care.

Economy: On the 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.