Controller on the June 2 California primary ballot. The full candidate field, the guide's position, and the sources behind it.
Who is running
Three candidates qualified for state controller, California's chief fiscal officer and independent auditor. Incumbent Malia Cohen is seeking a second term against a Republican and a Peace and Freedom candidate. Per CalMatters and KALW.
Malia M. CohenIncumbent
Democratic
The incumbent controller, elected in 2022, and a former chair of the state Board of Equalization and former San Francisco supervisor. Per KALW, she is running on a record of cautious state spending as the budget tightens.
Herb W. Morgan
Republican
The Republican candidate. Per CalMatters, he is running against the incumbent on fiscal-oversight and state-spending grounds.
Meghann Adams
Peace and Freedom
The Peace and Freedom Party candidate, a school bus driver and union member running from the left of the field. She is the progressive alternative on this ballot.
The top two finishers on June 2 advance to the November 3, 2026 runoff.
The guide's pick on this race is in the Member Portal voter guide. Member access is free; email barriopower@gmail.com to request.
Sources
Certified candidate list: California Secretary of State sos.ca.gov. County registrar (LA: lavote.gov, OC: ocvote.gov, Ventura: recorder.countyofventura.org). For per-candidate sources, see each candidate's full profile (linked above where available).
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