California Lieutenant Governor

We recommend voting for Fiona Ma for Lieutenant Governor.

In June we endorsed Josh Fryday, who unfortunately finished third and didn't advance (https://calmatters.org/politics/2026/06/california-primary-lieutenant-governor/). The general election is now Fiona Ma, a Democrat, against Gloria Romero, a Republican, and Ma is the clear choice.

The Lieutenant Governor sits on the State Lands Commission, holds voting seats on the UC Regents, CSU Trustees, and Community Colleges Board of Governors, and chairs the Commission for Economic Development. Most candidates treat this office as a stepping stone. Ma has specific plans for its actual tools.

Why vote for Fiona Ma?

Fiona Ma started her public service career in San Francisco, serving as the Sunset's Supervisor from 2002 to 2006 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiona_Ma), and has since held office at every level of California government: six years in the Assembly, where she had more than 60 bills signed into law (https://growsf.org/voter-guide/questionnaires/june-2026/fiona-ma/) and served as Speaker pro Tempore, a term on the Board of Equalization, and two terms as State Treasurer. We endorsed her for Treasurer in 2022 (https://growsf.org/voter-guide/san-francisco-voter-guide-november-2022-election/) and called her the safe and stable choice. She was.

"I have never lost a race for office, and that is not by accident. When I set out to accomplish something, I commit fully and I deliver."

Fiona Ma, State Treasurer

The Treasurer's job turns out to be direct preparation for this one. Ma chairs the committee that allocates the tax credits that make affordable housing possible (https://fionama.com/about/), sits on the California Housing Finance Agency board, issued the state's first-ever bonds for community college student housing (https://calmatters.org/politics/2022/10/fiona-ma-treasurer-election/), and launched the Dream for All down payment program for first-time homebuyers. As Lieutenant Governor she would sit on the boards of the very institutions she has been financing, and she is the only elected official who sits on all three (https://growsf.org/voter-guide/questionnaires/june-2026/fiona-ma/). Her plan would put workforce housing on the 75,000 acres of land that school districts and colleges already own (https://growsf.org/voter-guide/questionnaires/june-2026/fiona-ma/), funded through a zero-interest revolving loan fund, so teachers and college staff can afford to live where they work. On the State Lands Commission, she wants to push California's first commercial-scale offshore wind hub at Morro Bay and Humboldt into active construction.

She is also proposing a reform we've already endorsed in another race: abolishing the Board of Equalization (https://growsf.org/voter-guide/questionnaires/june-2026/fiona-ma/). Ma served on that board, chaired it, and initiated the outside audits that exposed the mismanagement behind the 2017 reforms that stripped most of its powers. Now she wants to finish the job, which is exactly the position we took in our Board of Equalization endorsement (https://growsf.org/voter-guide/san-francisco-voter-guide-november-2026-election/contests/board-of-equalization/). It says something when a politician proposes eliminating a body she herself sat on.

Source (https://growsf.org/voter-guide/san-francisco-voter-guide-november-2026-election#lieutenant-governor)

Not a solid conservative but a Republican strong on parental rights and education reform

Dual endorsement

California stands at a crossroads in America’s history. We need clear-eyed, proven leaders willing to stand tall and fight on behalf of every Californian. Defending California’s values and people—especially women and immigrants—will be my top priority as your Lieutenant Governor. I’m the daughter of immigrants and there’s no place for fear or intimidation in our state. I’ll protect birthright citizenship from Trump’s attacks, and hold ICE accountable for excessive violence. I’ve spent my life in public service standing up for women. As California State Treasurer, I funded reproductive health, birth control, and cancer screenings when Trump cut Title X funding. As Assemblywoman, I chaired the Select Committee on Domestic Violence to protect survivors. The Lieutenant Governor serves on the Coastal Commission and Boards of UC and CSU. I will fight Trump’s plan to reopen ofshore drilling, while defending universities and protecting academic freedom. I’ll vote to freeze tuition so middle-class families can afford college. My mother was a public school teacher. That’s why I’m committed to delivering a quality education to every California student. We live in an unprecedented moment—and California must chart the path forward—a future that embraces a shared belief in a better California for all. Join us, California Professional Firefghters, California Federation of Teachers, National Union of Healthcare Workers, Building Trades, Carpenters, Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis and more than 30 labor unions in our campaign at www.fonama.com. I love California and I humbly ask for your vote for Lieutenant Governor.

Strong on parental rights and school choice; former Democrat leader who fought teacher unions only to be kicked to the curb by the Democrat Party

Former Democrat majority leader; switched to Republican in 2024; shares conservative values on parental rights and charter schools; running with Hilton and Gates as a team

Former Democratic legislator; strong on parental rights and education issues; protecting girls sports

Former Democratic State Senate Majority Leader 2005-2008; switched to Republican in 2024; strong charter school supporter; not a strong conservative but best available

Ma brings with her decades of policy expertise and a track record of supporting women’s rights.  Starting her career in the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, Ma has been a California State Assemblymember, the Speaker Pro Tempore of the California Legislature, and a national leader in public finance. Throughout these roles, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing policies that protect and uplift women, notably championing legislation that ensures the safety of women and healthcare providers through the abortion clinic “bubble law.”

While this race has a number of qualified candidates and longtime allies to SFWPC, Ma stands apart as the most qualified and the most aligned. A founding member of SFWPC, Ma represents the values and leadership our organization continues to promote.

Source (https://sfwpc.org/pac-recommendations-for-june-2026-election/)

SD County GOP endorsed

• Fiona Ma knows how California actually works — as State Treasurer she ran the state’s banking, financing, and bond programs, after serving in the Assembly and on the Board of Equalization.
• The job draws on exactly that experience — breaking ties in the state Senate, sitting on the UC and CSU boards, and standing ready to step in for the Governor.
• The Mercury News endorsed her as the candidate who “understands the levers of power.” In a crowded field, she’s the one who already knows the machinery.

Licensed CPA and former SF Supervisor and State Treasurer. Emphasizes fiscal accountability and public safety.

UAW endorsed candidate (dual endorsement)

*"Over the past seven years, California has built a record number of affordable housing units thanks to strong partnerships at the federal, state, and local levels. I'm incredibly proud of my teams at CDLAC and CTCAC for being innovative, proactive, and flexible in meeting this moment.

I'm honored to receive the endorsement of the California Council for Affordable Housing. Together, we've made incredible progress—funding nearly 29,000 affordable homes this year alone. I look forward to continuing our partnership and ensuring that every Californian has access to safe, affordable housing."*

Fiona Ma

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

Elect Fiona Ma for Lieutenant Governor to keep California on the right track for progress. Endorsements: Ma has the endorsement of many groups, including California Young Democrats, Asian Dems of LA, Alice B. Toklas Democratic Club, Equality California, National Union of Healthcare Workers, UNITE HERE Local 11, California Federation of Labor Unions, and United Domestic Workers. She is also supported by U.S. Sens Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, Secretary of State Shirley Weber, State Controller Malia Cohen, and many other state and local elected officials. Ma has the endorsement of several problematic stakeholders, like the Peace Officers Research Association of California, State Coalition of Probation Organizations, and California Association of Highway Patrolmen. Governance and community leadership experience: Ma has been the California treasurer since 2019, when she was elected with 64% of the vote. She previously served on the California State Board of Equalization from 2014–2019, the California State Assembly from 2006–2012 (as speaker from 2010–2012 and majority whip from 2006–2010), and the San Francisco Board of Supervisors from 2002–2006. Ma was also a field representative for then State Assemblymember John Burton. Prior to public service, Ma was an accountant with her own practice.

Elect Fiona Ma California's next lieutenant governor

And she is on the STEVE HILTON “Golden Ticket” slate which helps provides visibility. Also, ROMERO has been in Sacramento as a “D”, now and “R” and knows the legislative process well, to HELP HILTON. The rest of the slate along w/HILTON & ROMERO, is fabulous, that is, R-HERB MORGAN for Controller, and fabulous/outstanding/terrific, Michael Gates for Attorney General.

She's definitely got baggage but she knows budgeting and funding and cares about housing and the environment unlike her once moderate Dem opponent who is now a full on MAGA Republican, supports RFK jr and the rest of that mess.

Gloria Romero is a former democrat legislator, and was the California Senate Majority Leader from 2005 to 2008. She is an expert on the legislative process and on dealing with various unions.

Over the years she became a big advocate of charter schools, often working with people (regardless of their political affiliations) to promote and defend them. She re-registered as a Republican in the Fall 2024.

While she is not a solid conservative on every issue, she voted for Trump in 2024. She is strong on parental rights, education issues, and is excellent on protecting girls sports. She opposes Democrat authoritarianism, including on the COVID lockdowns, gender identity, crime, and the Democrats war on gas appliances.

Gloria's many Endorsements include:

The California Republican Party, and Sen. John M.W. Moorlach (Ret.). the Orange County Board of Education member Mari Barke is a big supporter of Gloria's and says that she is great on education issues!

Educator/Businesswoman, Former state Senator - CAGOP, COCO, CRA, and RC endorsed, ACRP recommended

SD & Imperial Counties Labor Council endorsed