Malia M. Cohen
Democratic, incumbent
California Controller
AI wrote this from the sources listed below. A second AI checked each sentence against its source, and software checked the links and dates. A person didn’t review it, so every sentence links to its source for you to check. Updated Thursday, October 15, 2026.
Overview
Malia M. Cohen, a Democrat, is the California State Controller.1 She was elected in 2022.2 She is seeking re-election in 2026.1 She previously served on the California State Board of Equalization, chairing it in 2019 and 2022, and was president of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, where she chaired the Budget and Finance Committee.2 As president of the San Francisco Employees’ Retirement System, she led efforts to divest from fossil fuels and moved $100 million into a fossil fuel-free index fund.3
Her campaign says she has expanded public access to financial and payroll data, released monthly cash reports, and advanced efforts to modernize the state payroll system.1 In 2025, she cautioned that the state faces significant structural deficits and urged fiscal prudence.4 In October 2026, after reporting that state spending was running above budget projections, she called for discipline to protect reserves and ensure the state can meet its obligations.5 She also chairs the Franchise Tax Board and sits on the boards of CalPERS and CalSTRS.2
A state audit found the controller’s office mishandled more than $33,000 in employee overpayments and did not detect managers working remotely from out of state.6
Campaign money
- Reporting period
- July 1 to September 19, 2026
- Raised
- $169,112
- Cash on hand
- $1,623,101
| Source | Amount | Share of money raised |
|---|---|---|
| Small gifts (under $100) | $228 | Under 1% |
| Gifts from people ($100 or more) | $64,260 | 38% |
| PACs and other committees | $81,549 | 48% |
| Party committees | $9,581 | 6% |
| Businesses and other groups | $13,493 | 8% |
Large contributions reported since September 19, 2026: $95,604 in 66 gifts. See the large contribution reports.
Source: California Secretary of State filings for Malia Cohen for Controller 2026
Endorsements
Sources
- Controller Candidate Statements, California Secretary of State. Viewed Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
- Malia M. Cohen - CalPERS, CalPERS. Viewed Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
- Celebrating Women's History Month: Women Leaders and the Future of Politics, Commonwealth Club. Viewed Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
- Press Releases - SCO - CA.gov, California State Controller's Office. Viewed Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
- Controller Malia M. Cohen Reports September Receipts ..., Yahoo Finance. Viewed Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
- California's fiscal watchdog accused of using fake addresses to ..., New York Post. Viewed Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
- Endorsements, Malia Cohen for Controller 2026. Viewed Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
- 2026 General Election Endorsements & Ballot Measure Positions, California Democratic Party. Viewed Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
- California controller: Who's running and why it matters, LAist. Viewed Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
- SEIU California | 2025 & 2026 Elections, SEIU California. Viewed Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
- California endorsements, National Nurses United. Viewed Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
- Endorsements - California Faculty Association, California Faculty Association. Viewed Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
- Teamsters Local 665 & Teamsters California Endorse State Candidates, Teamsters Local 665. Viewed Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
- Political Action Committee – CalAsian Chamber, California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce. Viewed Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
- State Controller — November 2026 Election, GrowSF. Viewed Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
- Endorsements, Sierra Club Angeles Chapter. Viewed Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
- 2026 Candidate Recommendations, California Teachers Association. Viewed Thursday, October 15, 2026.
- The Knock LA Progressive Voter Guide for the November 2026 General Election, Knock LA (Ground Game LA). Viewed Thursday, October 15, 2026.
- November 2026 LA Progressive Voter Guide, LA Forward Action Fund. Viewed Thursday, October 15, 2026.
- Party Endorsements for Voter-Nominated Offices, November 3, 2026 General Election, Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. Viewed Thursday, October 15, 2026.
- 2026 Midterm Election: LA County Federation of Labor Endorsements (Official Voter Guide), Los Angeles County Federation of Labor. Viewed Thursday, October 15, 2026.
- SEIU 721 COPE Slate, November 3, 2026 General Election, SEIU Local 721. Viewed Thursday, October 15, 2026.