Controller
California’s controller serves as the state’s chief accountant, overseeing spending in a state that makes up one of the world’s largest economies. Whoever is elected will be in charge of auditing the state’s finances and paying government employees.
Candidates
Malia M. Cohen
Cohen has served as California’s controller since 2023 and is running for re-election. She’s campaigning on a promise to govern the state’s finances with “transparency, efficiency and fairness.” In recent months, as the governor and legislators hashed out a budget deal, Cohen urged them to spend with caution.
Herb W. Morgan
Morgan is running on the promise of exposing fraud in government at a time when the Trump administration also is leveling fraud accusations against California. Morgan founded an investment firm in San Diego that was later acquired by Cantor Fitzgerald Investment Advisors.
Endorsements
Malia M. Cohen
Herb W. Morgan
Fundraising
Direct contributions
Candidates must disclose large donors if they give $100 or more over the course of the campaign. Small donors give less than $100; we have excluded them from the contributor table below.
- Large donors
- Small donors
- Self-funding
- Funding difference
Malia M. Cohen
Herb W. Morgan
Outside spending
Groups not coordinating with candidates must report money they spend to influence elections.
- Support
- Oppose
- Spending difference
Malia M. Cohen
