Democrat Malia Cohen wins California controller’s race, keeping party’s lock on statewide offices
This story has been updated with the latest returns
Democrat Malia Cohen was declared winner of the California controller’s race Tuesday, extending the party’s nearly-two-decade lock on statewide offices.
Cohen, chair of the California State Board of Equalization, led Republican policy analyst Lanhee Chen with 54.9% of the vote to 45.1%. About 73.5% of the vote had been counted when the Associated Press called the race. With the exception of one seat on the state Board of Equalization, all statewide races have been decided.
Here are the latest returns as of Tuesday evening:
Lieutenant Governor
As the official needed to step in as acting governor, the lieutenant governor can be a stepping stone to the governorship — as in the case of Gavin Newsom. Eleni Kounalakis first won office in 2018 and recently became the first woman in California to sign a bill into law while Gov. Newsom vacationed with family. A total of $4.6 million was spent in this race, the vast majority by Kounalakis.
Elena Kounalakis (D): 59.5%
Angela Underwood Jacobs (R): 40.5%
Attorney General
Incumbent Rob Bonta is trying to convince voters he deserves to keep the job after he was appointed by Newsom to replace Xavier Becerra, who took a cabinet post in the Biden administration. Republican Nathan Hochman, a former federal prosecutor, billed himself as the tougher-on-crime alternative.
Rob Bonta (D): 58.7%
Nathan Hochman (R): 41.3%
Controller
Considered the most competitive of the statewide contests, Republican Chen drew national attention in his bid to become the state’s fiscal watchdog and accountant. Chen has said he would use the controller’s office to challenge state spending practices. Cohen emphasized equitable use of state funds.
Lanhee Chen (R): 45.1%
Malia M Cohen (D): 54.9%
Secretary of State
Shirley Weber made history as the state’s first Black top election administrator when Newsom appointed her to replace then-Secretary of State Alex Padilla. She promised to boost civic engagement and voter participation. She ran unopposed in the June Democratic primary. Rob Bernosky, a member of state Republican party leadership, has tried to catch up.
Robert Bernosky (R): 40.2%
Shirley N. Weber (D): 59.8%
Treasurer
California has an enormous portfolio of investments, particularly when it comes to public employee and teacher pensions. Incumbent Fiona Ma, a Democrat, saw strong support in the primary despite facing a sexual harassment allegation from a former employee. Republican Jack Guerrero is a CPA and former mayor of Cudahy in Los Angeles County.
Jack M. Guerrero (R): 41.3%
Fiona Ma (D): 58.7%
Insurance Commissioner
California’s insurance commissioner is the top insurance industry regulator covering home, auto and life markets. Democratic incumbent Ricardo Lara, who has been the subject of criticism for not protecting homeowners from losing fire coverage, faced cybersecurity equipment manufacturer Robert Howell.
Robert Howell (R): 40.3%
Ricardo Lara (D): 59.7%
Superintendent of Public Instruction
Union-backed Tony Thurmond sought another term to oversee California’s public education system of more than 6 million K-12 students. Late last year, he faced accusations of cultivating a toxic work environment and high turnover. His opponent, education policy expert Lance Christensen, won just 12% of the vote in the June primary.
Lance Ray Christensen: 36.2%
Tony Thurmond: 63.8%
This story was originally published November 8, 2022 at 9:01 PM.