Malia CohenMalia Cohen

On Monday, Harris endorsed Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis for treasurer, as well as incumbents Attorney General Rob Bonta, Controller Malia Cohen and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.

Cohen knows public finance, and she knows San Francisco.

Before becoming Controller, Cohen chaired the Budget and Finance Committee and the Audit and Oversight Committee on the SF Board of Supervisors. After that, she ran the San Francisco Employees' Retirement System (https://mysfers.org/about-sfers/investments/), a $35 billion pension fund. Now she sits on the boards of CalPERS and CalSTRS (https://sco.ca.gov/eo_investments_and_pensions.html), the two biggest public pension funds in the country, with almost $1T in assets, combined.

She also went after California's largest-ever charter school fraud (https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/task-force-releases-report-in-wake-of-states-largest-ever-charter-school-fraud/3632211/). Cohen led a task force that came up with 20 fixes (https://www.bondbuyer.com/news/california-controller-releases-recommendations-to-prevent-charter-school-fraud) for how the state checks school finances — tougher rules for auditors, faster reporting, and more disclosure. Her office also publishes pay data for over 2 million government workers (https://sco.ca.gov/eo_sco_data.html) across 5,000+ agencies.

We would like to see the Controller's Office return $15B in unclaimed property (https://www.cbsnews.com/news/california-unclaimed-property-state-owes-charities-money/) such as forgotten bank accounts and uncashed checks that belong to Californians. Other states send it back automatically — California still doesn't. Overall, Cohen has brought transparency and accountability to the state's spending.

Source (https://growsf.org/voter-guide/san-francisco-voter-guide-june-2026-election/#controller)

Malia Cohen, California Controller (incumbent)

Malia Cohen will also win reelection as the only Democrat in the race. GrowSF approves of her job performance, too.

BWOPA's State PAC proudly endorses the re-election of Malia Cohen for California State Controller. A lifetime BWOPA member, Malia has dedicated her career—from the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and the California Board of Equalization to her leadership as State Controller—to making public dollars work for the people who need them most. She is a proven champion for women, working families, and economic security, and understands that advancing economic justice for Black women—by closing wage and wealth gaps, supporting caregivers, and expanding access to capital and entrepreneurship—strengthens families and our entire state. As an independent budget hawk, Malia brings transparency, equity, and accountability to how California invests public resources. With a second term, BWOPA PAC is confident she will continue delivering results for the more than 40 million Californians who rely on responsible, people-centered leadership.

"Affordable housing is essential to California's economic strength and to the well-being of our communities. I'm honored to earn the support of the California Council for Affordable Housing and grateful for their leadership in bringing public and private partners together to deliver quality, affordable homes for Californians who need them most."

Malia Cohen

Source (https://californiacouncil.org/2026-voters-guide)

Re-elect Controller Malia Cohen to keep California on the right track for progress. Progressive endorsements: Cohen has the endorsement of many groups, including Equality California, California Environmental Voters, California Nurses Association, SEIU California, California Labor Federation, and several other labor unions. She is also supported by elected leaders, including Senator Adam Schiff, Governor Gavin Newsom, State Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, and Senate President Pro Tempore Monique Limón. Governance experience: Cohen has been state controller since 2023, when she was elected with 55% of the vote. In her tenure as controller, she has prioritized fairness and equity, supporting gender equity, workforce training and development, affordable housing, affordable and quality health care, climate change, and corporate accountability in her duties. Controller Cohen previously served on the California State Board of Equalization and the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. As chair of the San Francisco Employee Retirement System, she led the effort to divest from fossil fuels.

The State Controller is California’s chief fiscal officer and accountant and is responsible for accountability and disbursement of California’s financial resources. This means, maintaining the statewide accounting system, issuing reports on the state’s financial standing, administering payroll to state employees, administering unclaimed property laws, overseeing audits of state agencies and supervising local government finances. Additionally, the Controller serves on over 70 boards and commissions.

LA Forward recommends incumbent Malia Cohen for a second second four-year term. Cohen is backed by the California Labor Federation, California Environmental Voters, CA Council for Affordable Housing, California Nurses Association and more. Cohen has made addressing the housing crisis and expanding affordable housing priorities during her time in office. She used property tax abatements to stimulate affordable housing, backed AB 2353 which helps non-profit affordable housing developers secure the welfare property tax exemption and also approved $804 million in bond authority for affordable student housing. Cohen also led the way on property tax relief for those affected by the Palisades and Altadena fires. In addition to housing she has prioritized expanding health care, protecting the environment and equal rights as top issues of her campaign.