Fiona Ma, the Democratic candidate for California lieutenant governor, faces Republican Gloria Romero in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. Ma is certified for the ballot, according to BallotReady. Santa Monica voters will see the race on their Nov. 3 ballots.

Ma, California's state treasurer, said on her campaign website that her accounting background drives her bid.

Candidate information

  • Party: Democratic
  • Current office: State treasurer (2019–present)
  • Education: Bachelor's degree in accounting, Rochester Institute of Technology (1988); master's degree in taxation, Golden Gate University (1992); MBA, Pepperdine University (2000)
  • Personal: Ma said she is the oldest child of immigrant parents. Her family moved to San Francisco in 1985. She said she has been a licensed CPA since 1992.

Experience

Per BallotReady and her campaign site, Ma's positions include:

  • Accountant, Ernst & Young (1988–1994)
  • Tax accountant, Fiona Ma, CPA (1994–2002)
  • District representative for Senator John L. Burton (1995–2001)
  • San Francisco Board of Supervisors, District 4 (2002–2006)
  • California State Assembly, District 12 (2006–2012), where she said she served as majority whip and then speaker pro tempore
  • State Board of Equalization, District 2 (2014–2019)
  • State treasurer (2019–present)

Ma said she is the first woman of color and first woman CPA elected state treasurer, first winning Nov. 6, 2018, and winning re-election in 2022.

On the issues

Positions below are from Ma's campaign website and BallotReady questionnaire. All statements are the candidate's own claims.

Economy: Ma said she oversees the disbursement of $3.7 trillion per year and manages an investment portfolio of $150–$250 billion per year as treasurer. As lieutenant governor, she said she would fight to grow the economy and create jobs.

Housing: Ma said her background as a real estate tax accountant drives her commitment to build more housing so everyone can afford to live in California.

Healthcare: Ma said that having lived with a pre-existing condition and having seen her mother struggle with depression, she will fight for healthcare access.

Public safety: Ma said that as the spouse of a firefighter, she will champion first responders. She said her legislation ending human trafficking in massage parlors, expanding rights for domestic abuse survivors in the courtroom and banning toxic chemicals in baby products was signed into law, along with nearly 60 other proposals.

Pensions and climate: Ma said she serves on the CalPERS and CalSTRS boards, where she has pushed for socially responsible and climate-smart investing.

Endorsements

Listed on Ma's campaign website, social media and BallotReady. All claimed by the endorsers.

  • Dr. Shirley N. Weber, California secretary of state
  • Eleni Kounalakis, California lieutenant governor
  • Assemblymember Buffy Wicks
  • Senator John Laird
  • International Brotherhood of Teamsters
  • United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals
  • Laborers' International Union of North America
  • California Professional Firefighters
  • AFL-CIO
  • California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO
  • North State Labor Federation, AFL-CIO
  • State Building and Construction Trades Council of California
  • San Diego Building & Construction Trades Council
  • South Bay Labor Council
  • Communication Workers of America
  • AFSCME Local 3299
  • California Teachers' Association
  • California Association of Highway Patrolmen
  • Peace Officers Research Association of California
  • Planned Parenthood of San Diego, Riverside, Imperial
  • Planned Parenthood of Orange, San Bernadino
  • Community Action Fund of Planned Parenthood Orange San Bernardino Counties
  • National Women's Political Caucus of California
  • San Francisco Women's Political Committee
  • Los Angeles County Democrats
  • San Diego County Democratic Party
  • California - Orange County Democrats
  • Santa Clara County Democrats
  • Alameda County Democrats
  • Riverside County Democrats
  • Fresno County Democrats
  • Los Angeles Stonewall Democrats
  • San Diego Democrats for Equality
  • Fresno Stonewall Democrats
  • Alice B Toklas Democratic Club
  • The United Democratic Club
  • Heart of LA Democratic Club
  • Pacific Palisades Democratic Club
  • Monterey County Farm Bureau
  • San Francisco Bay Times Editorial Board
  • Bay Area Reporter Editorial Board

Candidate information is drawn from Ma's campaign website, BallotReady data and questionnaire responses. The Santa Monica Wave did not interview the candidate.