CA Controller: Chen Attempts To Break A 16-Year Streak

CALIFORNIA — The race for controller in a California general election doesn't typically generate a lot of buzz. This year, the race was among the most interesting.

That’s because hopes are riding high on Lanhee Chen, a former campaign and policy advisor, to finally break the GOP’s losing streak in California: Voters haven’t elected a Republican to statewide office since 2006.

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This year, controller, was a seat that lended a Republican candidate a shot at winning a statewide contest for the first time in 16 years. June’s primary was among the most interesting races statewide since Chen was able to advance.

On Tuesday, Chen faced Malia Cohen, a Democrat and member of the state Board of Equalization. Chen is a Stanford instructor and former top Republican adviser.

The race was the only open statewide race this year since incumbent Betty Yea was slated to leave the post in January due to term limits. The state’s fiscal officer typically facilitates audits and serves on some 70 state boards and commissions.

Cohen told the Los Angeles Times that she believes that state spending is a statement of California's values.

“I am firmly rooted and grounded in this kind of old notion that the world should be fair,” Cohen told the Times. “I believe that California needs a controller that will prioritize working families, someone who knows how to get things done at a state level and also that will serve as an independent voice for spending, a budget hawk.”

Chen, a financial advisor and educator, has built his platform off fraud in the Employment Development Department and questioned how money was being used in public schools, prisons and Medi-Cal.

"Californians are tired of seeing the hard-earned tax dollars they send to Sacramento wasted," Chen tweeted ahead of the election. "As CA families are being crushed by rising prices, it’s more important than ever that we spend our tax dollars wisely. As Controller, I’ll make sure that we do."

Chen has never held an elected position but advised Republican Mitt Romney's 2008 and 2012 presidential campaigns as well as Steve Poizner's bid in the 2010 gubernatorial race.

As chairperson of the Board of Equalization, Cohen has overseen the distribution of $80 billion in tax revenue to local governments and schools. She also cut spending on office space and launched an initiative in 2019 to modernize property tax collection.

She pledges to continue the watchdog role as controller, saying that she wants to scrutinize the Employment Development Department and the Department of Motor Vehicles, plus the state’s homelessness programs. Cohen also intends to audit companies receiving research and development tax credits to ensure the jobs promised are being created. She also wants to advance pay equity, beginning with a review of the controller’s office, according to her equity roadmap.

“I am running to say, ‘I’m here, I’m in this space, I’m at the table and I’m watching and I am going to keep people accountable,’” she said.

Chen has raised a whopping $5.2 million for his campaign while Cohen raised $2.9 million.

California is a Democratic fortress where party members hold every statewide office and its voters outnumber registered Republicans by nearly 2 to 1.

There is little suspense in marquee races on the ballot: Gov. Gavin Newsom and U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla, both Democrats, already declared early victories in races called by the Associated Press. The two will glide into new terms after facing only token opposition from Republican rivals.

CalMatters contributed to this report.