2026 California State Controller election
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November 3, 2026
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| Elections in California |
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The 2026 California State Controller election will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect the California state controller. The nonpartisan top-two primary election will take place on June 2, 2026. Incumbent Democrat Malia Cohen was elected in 2022 with 55.35% to Republican opponent Lanhee Chen's 44.65%.[1] This margin was the closest of the 2022 statewide elections in California.[2] After previously mulling a run for state treasurer,[3] Cohen decided to run for reelection to a second term.[4] Republican Herb Morgan is also running.
Candidates
[edit]Democratic Party
[edit]Advanced to general
[edit]- Malia Cohen, incumbent California State Controller (2023–present)[4]
Republican Party
[edit]Advanced to general
[edit]- Herb Morgan, CIO of Cantor Fitzgerald[5]
Peace and Freedom Party
[edit]Eliminated in primary
[edit]Primary election
[edit]Endorsements
[edit]Meghann Adams (PFP)
- Political parties
Malia Cohen (D)
- Labor unions
- California Faculty Association[9]
- California Federation of Labor Unions[10]
- California Nurses Association[11]
- Los Angeles County Federation of Labor[12]
- SEIU California[13]
- SEIU United Healthcare Workers West[14]
- International Brotherhood of Teamsters California[15] and Local 665[16]
- Organizations
- Black Women Organized for Political Action PAC[17]
- Sierra Club California[18] and Angeles Chapter[19]
- Stonewall Democratic Club[20]
- Vote Mama[21]
- Political parties
- Newspapers
Herb Morgan (R)
- Organizations
- Political parties
- California Republican Party[27][28]
- Unity Party of America and California[29]
- Newspapers
- McClatchy Media California[a][30]
Results
[edit]
Cohen
- 40–50%
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
- 70–80%
Morgan
- 40–50%
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
- 70–80%
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Malia Cohen (incumbent) | 4,909,613 | 56.80 | |
| Republican | Herb Morgan | 3,244,252 | 37.53 | |
| Peace and Freedom | Meghann Adams | 489,663 | 5.67 | |
| Total votes | 8,643,528 | 100.00 | ||
By county
[edit]| County[32] | Malia Cohen Democratic |
Herb Morgan Republican |
Meghann Adams Peace and Freedom |
Margin | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | % | # | % | # | % | # | % | ||
| Alameda | 272,859 | 72.93% | 71,973 | 19.24% | 29,281 | 7.83% | 200,886 | 53.70% | 374,113 |
| Alpine | 289 | 60.97% | 164 | 34.60% | 21 | 4.43% | 125 | 26.37% | 474 |
| Amador | 5,086 | 33.67% | 9,537 | 63.14% | 481 | 3.18% | -4,451 | -29.47% | 15,104 |
| Butte | 25,072 | 42.93% | 30,673 | 52.52% | 2,657 | 4.55% | -5,601 | -9.59% | 58,402 |
| Calaveras | 5,526 | 33.32% | 10,559 | 63.66% | 501 | 3.02% | -5,033 | -30.34% | 16,586 |
| Colusa | 1,294 | 31.81% | 2,640 | 64.90% | 134 | 3.29% | -1,346 | -33.09% | 4,068 |
| Contra Costa | 192,991 | 65.61% | 87,575 | 29.77% | 13,597 | 4.62% | 105,416 | 35.84% | 294,163 |
| Del Norte | 2,487 | 40.01% | 3,482 | 56.02% | 247 | 3.97% | -995 | -16.01% | 6,216 |
| El Dorado | 28,603 | 39.76% | 41,514 | 57.71% | 1,823 | 2.53% | -12,911 | -17.95% | 71,940 |
| Fresno | 76,684 | 45.36% | 84,058 | 49.73% | 627 | 4.91% | -7,374 | -4.36% | 169,041 |
| Glenn | 1,588 | 25.76% | 4,332 | 70.28% | 244 | 3.96% | -2,744 | -44.52% | 6,164 |
| Humboldt | 22,938 | 60.31% | 12,478 | 32.81% | 2,620 | 6.89% | 10,460 | 27.50% | 38,036 |
| Imperial | 12,996 | 55.18% | 9,203 | 39.07% | 1,354 | 5.75% | 3,793 | 16.10% | 23,553 |
| Inyo | 2,528 | 45.22% | 2,814 | 50.33% | 249 | 4.45% | -286 | -5.12% | 5,591 |
| Kern | 53,852 | 38.22% | 80,377 | 57.05% | 6,658 | 4.73% | -26,525 | -18.83% | 140,887 |
| Kings | 7,665 | 36.22% | 12,568 | 59.38% | 932 | 4.40% | -4,903 | -23.17% | 21,165 |
| Lake | 7,563 | 47.89% | 7,520 | 47.62% | 709 | 4.49% | 43 | 0.27% | 15,792 |
| Lassen | 1,450 | 20.81% | 5,317 | 76.31% | 201 | 2.88% | -3,867 | -55.50% | 6,968 |
| Los Angeles | 1,226,698 | 61.99% | 582,493 | 29.44% | 169,675 | 8.57% | 644,205 | 32.55% | 1,978,866 |
| Madera | 11,133 | 37.06% | 17,758 | 59.12% | 1,147 | 3.82% | -6,625 | -22.06% | 30,038 |
| Marin | 70,148 | 76.50% | 18,316 | 19.97% | 3,232 | 3.52% | 51,832 | 56.53% | 91,696 |
| Mariposa | 2,364 | 36.74% | 3,845 | 59.75% | 226 | 3.51% | -1,481 | -23.01% | 6,435 |
| Mendocino | 14,813 | 62.95% | 7,750 | 32.94% | 968 | 4.11% | 7,063 | 30.02% | 23,531 |
| Merced | 20,247 | 46.45% | 20,817 | 47.76% | 2,526 | 5.79% | -570 | -1.31% | 43,590 |
| Modoc | 607 | 23.32% | 1,901 | 73.03% | 95 | 3.65% | -1,294 | -49.71% | 2,603 |
| Mono | 1,920 | 55.08% | 1,432 | 41.08% | 134 | 3.84% | 488 | 14.00% | 3,486 |
| Monterey | 47,814 | 62.60% | 24,851 | 32.53% | 3,721 | 4.87% | 22,963 | 30.06% | 76,386 |
| Napa | 24,833 | 64.03% | 12,680 | 32.70% | 1,269 | 3.27% | 12,153 | 31.34% | 38,782 |
| Nevada | 20,953 | 51.90% | 18,020 | 44.64% | 1,398 | 3.46% | 2,933 | 7.27% | 40,371 |
| Orange | 357,085 | 47.52% | 364,039 | 48.45% | 30,264 | 4.03% | -6,954 | -0.93% | 751,388 |
| Placer | 61,844 | 42.32% | 80,591 | 55.15% | 3,690 | 2.53% | -18,747 | -12.83% | 146,125 |
| Plumas | 2,688 | 37.53% | 4,197 | 58.59% | 278 | 3.88% | -1,509 | -21.07% | 7,163 |
| Riverside | 250,688 | 48.51% | 243,423 | 47.11% | 22,615 | 4.38% | 7,265 | 1.41% | 516,726 |
| Sacramento | 212,399 | 57.56% | 137,850 | 37.36% | 18,752 | 5.08% | 74,549 | 20.20% | 369,001 |
| San Benito | 8,483 | 55.43% | 6,234 | 40.74% | 586 | 3.83% | 2,249 | 14.70% | 15,303 |
| San Bernardino | 178,198 | 47.85% | 174,873 | 46.96% | 19,338 | 5.19% | 3,325 | 0.89% | 372,409 |
| San Diego | 444,730 | 55.11% | 333,638 | 41.34% | 28,607 | 3.54% | 111,092 | 13.77% | 806,975 |
| San Francisco | 175,509 | 72.62% | 33,461 | 13.85% | 32,710 | 13.53% | 142,048 | 58.78% | 241,680 |
| San Joaquin | 61,693 | 48.56% | 59,588 | 46.90% | 5,761 | 4.53% | 2,105 | 1.66% | 127,042 |
| San Luis Obispo | 48,521 | 51.18% | 43,079 | 45.44% | 3,199 | 3.37% | 5,442 | 5.74% | 94,799 |
| San Mateo | 130,255 | 71.00% | 45,175 | 24.63% | 8,021 | 4.37% | 85,080 | 46.38% | 183,451 |
| Santa Barbara | 61,796 | 58.93% | 38,974 | 37.17% | 4,088 | 3.90% | 22,822 | 21.76% | 104,858 |
| Santa Clara | 260,373 | 66.48% | 114,260 | 29.17% | 17,013 | 4.34% | 146,113 | 37.31% | 391,646 |
| Santa Cruz | 57,112 | 73.33% | 16,378 | 21.03% | 4,392 | 5.64% | 40,734 | 52.30% | 77,882 |
| Shasta | 15,597 | 30.17% | 34,572 | 66.87% | 1,528 | 2.96% | -18,975 | -36.70% | 51,697 |
| Sierra | 401 | 34.16% | 742 | 63.20% | 31 | 2.64% | -341 | -29.05% | 1,174 |
| Siskiyou | 5,029 | 37.19% | 7,997 | 59.15% | 495 | 3.66% | -2,968 | -21.95% | 13,521 |
| Solano | 59,090 | 59.73% | 35,636 | 36.02% | 4,195 | 4.24% | 23,454 | 23.71% | 98,921 |
| Sonoma | 110,132 | 69.59% | 39,708 | 25.09% | 8,412 | 5.32% | 70,424 | 44.50% | 158,252 |
| Stanislaus | 40,372 | 42.94% | 49,795 | 52.96% | 3,856 | 4.10% | -9,423 | -10.02% | 94,023 |
| Sutter | 7,371 | 33.54% | 13,717 | 62.41% | 891 | 4.05% | -6,346 | -28.87% | 21,979 |
| Tehama | 4,082 | 25.48% | 11,416 | 71.25% | 525 | 3.28% | -7,334 | -45.77% | 16,023 |
| Trinity | 1,435 | 42.09% | 1,819 | 53.36% | 155 | 4.55% | -384 | -11.26% | 3,409 |
| Tulare | 25,255 | 36.89% | 40,311 | 58.89% | 2,890 | 4.22% | -15,056 | -21.99% | 68,456 |
| Tuolumne | 7,247 | 37.50% | 11,448 | 59.25% | 628 | 3.25% | -4,201 | -21.74% | 19,323 |
| Ventura | 117,136 | 54.78% | 88,373 | 41.33% | 8,339 | 3.90% | 28,763 | 13.45% | 213,848 |
| Yolo | 36,496 | 65.04% | 16,306 | 29.06% | 3,313 | 5.90% | 20,190 | 35.98% | 56,115 |
| Yuba | 5,595 | 34.34% | 10,005 | 61.41% | 692 | 4.25% | -4,410 | -27.07% | 16,292 |
| Totals | 4,909,613 | 56.80% | 3,244,252 | 37.53% | 489,663 | 5.67% | 1,665,361 | 19.27% | 8,643,528 |
General election
[edit]Results
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Malia Cohen (incumbent) | ||||
| Republican | Herb Morgan | ||||
| Total votes | |||||
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ Nixon, Nicole (December 6, 2022). "Here's what we know about California 2022 election results". CapRadio. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
- ↑ Mehta, Seema (March 10, 2023). "California Republicans, buoyed by congressional wins, have no obvious Senate prospects". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
- ↑ Jones, Blake; Gardiner, Justin (December 20, 2024). "Why Dems are grumbling about Malia Cohen". Politico. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
- 1 2 Mason, Melanie; Jones, Blake; Gardiner, Dustin (September 4, 2025). "SCOOP: Villaraigosa swipes at Porter and Becerra". Politico. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
- ↑ Billing, Karen (May 19, 2025). "Local resident joins the race for California state controller". Del Mar Times. Retrieved September 18, 2025 – via The San Diego Union-Tribune.
- ↑ "Local 1741 Ratifies Trio of Strong Agreements". International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers Local 1741. August 22, 2025. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
- ↑ Balakrishnan, Eleni (October 8, 2025). "This Tenderloin bus driver wants to manage California's finances". Mission Local. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
- 1 2 "Left Unity has begun for the June 2026 primary election". December 18, 2025. Retrieved April 2, 2026.
- ↑ "Endorsements". California Faculty Association. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
- ↑ "Labor 2026 Primary Election Endorsements". California Federation of Labor Unions, AFL-CIO. Retrieved April 14, 2026.
- ↑ "California endorsements". National Nurses United. March 22, 2018. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
- ↑ "LA County Federation of Labor Endorsements". The LA Fed. Retrieved April 15, 2026.
- ↑ "2026 ELECTION ENDORSEMENTS". SEIU California. Archived from the original on February 22, 2026. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
- ↑ "SEIU-UHW 2026 Primary Election Endorsements". SEIU United Healthcare Workers West. Archived from the original on February 8, 2026. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
- ↑ "2026 California Endorsements" (PDF). Teamsters Joint Council 42. September 18, 2025. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
- ↑ Sinogui, Flo (September 11, 2025). "Teamsters Local 665 & Teamsters California Endorse State Candidates". Teamsters Local 665. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
- ↑ BWOPA PAC [@bwopa_pac] (August 26, 2025). "We are thrilled to endorse @malia.cohen's re-election as CA State Controller". Retrieved September 18, 2025 – via Instagram.
- ↑ "2025 Endorsements - SCC Political Committee". Sierra Club California. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
- ↑ Simpson, Jane. "Endorsements". Sierra Club Angeles Chapter. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
- ↑ "2026 November Stonewall Endorsed Candidates". Stonewall Democratic Club. Archived from the original on January 26, 2026. Retrieved January 26, 2026.
- ↑ "Vote Mama PAC Candidates". Vote Mama PAC. Retrieved November 25, 2025.
- ↑ "2026 Primary election Endorsements" (PDF). Retrieved April 3, 2026.
- ↑ "Editorial: Recommendations for CA offices". Bay Area Reporter. May 6, 2026. Retrieved May 22, 2026.
- ↑ "Endorsement: A cautious recommendation for California state controller". San Francisco Chronicle. May 21, 2026. Retrieved May 22, 2026.
- ↑ "The Ballot: Who We're Recommending For on June 2". Sun-Reporter. May 12, 2026. Retrieved May 22, 2026.
- ↑ "California 2026 Primary Endorsements from Groups & Resource Info". Fullerton Observer. May 11, 2026.
- ↑ Republican Party, California (April 12, 2026). "The California Republican Party has endorsed @HerbWMorgan for State Controller". California Republican Party. Retrieved April 14, 2026.
- ↑ City, News Service (April 12, 2026). "State Republicans fail to endorse candidate for governor". ABC10 News San Diego. Retrieved April 12, 2026.
- ↑ Giusto, Andrew (August 22, 2025). "Unity Party Fields California Candidates Times Two". Unity Party of America. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
- ↑ Editorial Board (May 4, 2026). "McClatchy endorses the Republican in California's state controller primary". The Sacramento Bee.
- ↑ Weber, Shirley (July 10, 2026). "Complete Statement of Vote" (PDF). Secretary of State of California. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 11, 2026. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
- ↑ Weber, Shirley (July 10, 2026). "Controller by County" (PDF). Secretary of State of California. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
External links
[edit]Official campaign websites