Malia Cohen won reelection as California controller, defeating Republican Herb Morgan, according to Associated Press results published by KQED.
AP called the race for Cohen, a Democrat, at 9:01 p.m. Pacific time Nov. 3. The controller oversees state payments, financial reporting and audits, with responsibilities that reach local governments and schools.
According to the California Secretary of State’s unofficial results, updated at 6:58 p.m. Pacific time Nov. 5, Cohen had 5,563,027 votes, or 64.4%, to Morgan’s 3,068,616 votes, or 35.6%.
AP has declared Cohen the winner. Vote totals remain unofficial while counting and certification continue.
Unofficial results
Candidate | Party | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
Malia M. Cohen, incumbent | Democratic | 5,563,027 | 64.4% |
Herb W. Morgan | Republican | 3,068,616 | 35.6% |
Source: California Secretary of State, updated at 6:58 p.m. Pacific time Nov. 5. Results are unofficial.
What the controller does
As California’s chief fiscal officer, the controller accounts for state finances, oversees payments and independently audits agencies that receive state money, according to the State Controller’s Office.
The office issued 64 million payments totaling $679 billion in the 2023-24 fiscal year. Those payments included tax refunds, employee paychecks and retirement benefits.
The controller’s responsibilities also affect local residents. The office distributes money to schools and local governments, provides accounting guidance and administers the Property Tax Postponement Program.
Its audit responsibilities include reviewing payment claims and examining whether school districts, community colleges and other public agencies properly use state and federal funds.
Cohen’s background
Cohen was first elected controller in 2022 after serving on the California Board of Equalization. She previously served on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, according to her official biography.
As controller, she serves on 70 boards and commissions, including the governing boards of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System and California State Teachers’ Retirement System.
Counting continues
Mail ballots postmarked by Election Day must arrive by Nov. 10 to be counted, according to the California Secretary of State’s election calendar.
Counties must certify their results by Dec. 3 and send complete returns to the secretary of state by Dec. 4. Statewide certification is due Dec. 11.
Readers can follow additional returns through the state’s controller results page.
