Malia M. Cohen

Office sought: Controller
Party: Democratic
Ballot designation: State controller
Incumbent.

Background

Biography. Email editor@ballotpedia.org to notify us of updates to this biography. Malia Cohen was born in San Francisco . She graduated from Lowell High School and earned a B.A. in political science from Fisk University. Cohen also earned an M.S. in public policy and management from Carnegie Mellon University. Her professional experience includes serving as a commissioner of the San Francisco Employee Retirement System (SFERS) and as a fiduciary member of the San Francisco Transportation Authority. Cohen also worked for Power Forward Consulting and on the corporate strategy and communications team for the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. [1]

Prior offices and election history

2026

See also: California Controller election, 2026 General election The primary will occur on June 2, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary. The candidate list in this election may not be complete. Nonpartisan primary Nonpartisan primary election for California Controller Incumbent Malia Cohen (D), Herb Morgan (R), and Meghann Adams (Peace and Freedom Party) are running in the primary for California Controller on June 2, 2026. Candidate Malia Cohen (D) Herb Morgan (R) Meghann Adams (Peace and Freedom Party) Incumbents are bolded and underlined . = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2026 — Endorsements

Cohen received the following endorsements. To send us additional endorsements, click here . Alameda County Democratic Party’s Voting Group (Sway voting group by Alameda County Democratic Party) Alice B Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club’s Voting Group (Sway voting group by Alice B Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club) BAYMEC’s Voting Group (Sway voting group by BAYMEC) Barak’s voter guide (Sway voting group by Barak Gila) Barak’s voter guide (Sway voting group by barak) CALIFORNIA LIBERAL DEMOCRATS (Sway voting group by JCP YOU KNOW ME) CalMatters Voter Guide (Sway voting group by CalMatters) California Environmental Voters’ Voting Group (Sway voting group by California Environmental Voters) California Faculty Association’s Voting Group (Sway voting group by California Faculty Association) California Federation of Teachers’ Voting Group (Sway voting group by California Federation of Teachers) California Labor Federation’s Voting Group (Sway voting group by California Labor Federation) California Nurses Association / National Nurses United’s Voting Group (Sway voting group by California Nurses Association / National Nurses United) California Professional Firefighters’ Voting Group (Sway voting group by California Professional Firefighters) California State Building and Construction Trades Council’s Voting Group (Sway voting group by California State Building and Construction Trades Council) California Teachers Association’s Voting Group (Sway voting group by California Teachers Association) California YIMBY’s Voting Group (Sway voting group by California YIMBY) California Young Democrats’ Voting Group (Sway voting group by California Young Democrats) City of Alameda Democratic Club’s Voting Group (Sway voting group by City of Alameda Democratic Club) Courage California’s Voting Group (Sway voting group by Courage California) CrowdSourceCarrie Voting Group (Sway voting group by CrowdSourceCarrie) East Bay Stonewall Democratic Club’s Voting Group (Sway voting group by East Bay Stonewall Democratic Club) Edwin M. Lee Asian Pacific Democratic Club’s Voting Group (Sway voting group by Edwin M. Lee Asian Pacific Democratic Club) Election Day is Every Tuesday (Sway voting group by Ariella Elm) Equality California’s Voting Group (Sway voting group by Equality California) Fullerton Observer’s Voting Group (Sway voting group by Fullerton Observer) GrowSF’s Voting Group (Sway voting group by GrowSF) Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club’s Voting Group (Sway voting group by Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club) IFPTE Local 21’s Voting Group (Sway voting group by IFPTE Local 21) KPBS Endorsement Guide (Sway voting group by KPBS) KaitlynDoesPolitics (Sway voting group by Kaitlyn Hennessy) Legalmiga’s Legit Picks (Sway voting group by Taylor Tieman (@legalmiga)) Los Angeles County Democratic Party’s Voting Group (Sway voting group by Los Angeles County Democratic Party) National Union of Healthcare Workers’ Voting Group (Sway voting group by National Union of Healthcare Workers) Northern California Carpenters Regional Council’s Voting Group (Sway voting group by Northern California Carpenters Regional Council) One Vote at Time (Sway voting group by Derek Padilla-Ravega) Rick’s Picks (Sway voting group by Rick Raushenbush) SEIU California’s Voting Group (Sway voting group by SEIU California) SEIU Local 1021’s Voting Group (Sway voting group by SEIU Local 1021) SEIU Local 521’s Voting Group (Sway voting group by SEIU Local 521) SEIU Local 99’s Voting Group (Sway voting group by SEIU Local 99) SEIU-UHW’s Voting Group (Sway voting group by SEIU-UHW) San Diego County Democratic Party’s Voting Group (Sway voting group by San Diego County Democratic Party) San Diego Democrats for Equality’s Voting Group (Sway voting group by San Diego Democrats for Equality) San Francisco Democratic Party’s Voting Group (Sway voting group by San Francisco Democratic Party) San Francisco Eastern Neighborhoods Democratic Club’s Voting Group (Sway voting group by San Francisco Eastern Neighborhoods Democratic Club) San Francisco Women’s Political Committee’s Voting Group (Sway voting group by San Francisco Women’s Political Committee) San Francisco Young Democrats’ Voting Group (Sway voting group by San Francisco Young Democrats) Sierra Club Angeles Chapter’s Voting Group (Sway voting group by Sierra Club Angeles Chapter) Sierra Club California’s Voting Group (Sway voting group by Sierra Club California) Sierra Club San Francisco Bay’s Voting Group (Sway voting group by Sierra Club San Francisco Bay) Stonewall Democratic Club Los Angeles’ Voting Group (Sway voting group by Stonewall Democratic Club Los Angeles) Teamsters Joint Council 7’s Voting Group (Sway voting group by Teamsters Joint Council 7) The Kitchen Voter Guide (Sway voting group by Michelle Glogovac) Thrive LA’s Voting Group (Sway voting group by Thrive LA) UAW California’s Voting Group (Sway voting group by UAW California) UAW’s Endorsements (Sway voting group by UAW) UFCW Western States Council’s Voting Group (Sway voting group by UFCW Western States Council) UNITE HERE Local 11’s Voting Group (Sway voting group by UNITE HERE Local 11) Union Yes San Diego’s Voting Group (Sway voting group by Union Yes San Diego) Vote For Peace’s Voting Group (Sway voting group by Vote For Peace) Vote with Lila (Sway voting group by Lila Holzman) Voting is a Team Sport | Katie Grossbard (Sway voting group by Katie Grossbard) Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club’s Voting Group (Sway voting group by Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club)

2022

See also: California Controller election, 2022 General election General election for California Controller Malia Cohen defeated Lanhee Chen in the general election for California Controller on November 8, 2022. Candidate % Votes ✔ Malia Cohen (D) 55.3 5,936,856 Lanhee Chen (R) 44.7 4,789,345 There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source Total votes: 10,726,201 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. Nonpartisan primary election Nonpartisan primary for California Controller The following candidates ran in the primary for California Controller on June 7, 2022. Candidate % Votes ✔ Lanhee Chen (R) 37.2 2,533,305 ✔ Malia Cohen (D) 22.7 1,542,397 Yvonne Yiu (D) 15.1 1,024,707 Steve Glazer (D) 11.1 756,518 Ron Galperin (D) 10.1 690,484 Laura Wells (G) 3.8 258,053 There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source Total votes: 6,805,464 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2018

See also: California State Board of Equalization election, 2018 General election General election for California State Board of Equalization District 2 Malia Cohen defeated Mark Burns in the general election for California State Board of Equalization District 2 on November 6, 2018. Candidate % Votes ✔ Malia Cohen (D) 72.8 2,482,171 Mark Burns (R) 27.2 927,949 There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source Total votes: 3,410,120 (100.00% precincts reporting) = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. Nonpartisan primary election Nonpartisan primary for California State Board of Equalization District 2 Malia Cohen and Mark Burns defeated Cathleen Galgiani and Barry Chang in the primary for California State Board of Equalization District 2 on June 5, 2018. Candidate % Votes ✔ Malia Cohen (D) 38.7 723,355 ✔ Mark Burns (R) 26.9 502,143 Cathleen Galgiani (D) 25.7 480,887 Barry Chang (D) 8.7 163,102 There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Total votes: 1,869,487 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2014

See also: San Francisco, California Board of Supervisors elections, 2014 The city of San Francisco, California held board of supervisors elections on November 4, 2014. In District 10, incumbent Malia Cohen defeated Ed Donaldson , Tony Kelly , Shawn M. Richard and Marlene Tran in the general election. [2] [3]

Issue positions (campaign themes)

2026

Ballotpedia survey responses See also: Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection Malia Cohen has not yet completed Ballotpedia’s 2026 Candidate Connection survey. If you are Malia Cohen, click here to fill out Ballotpedia’s 2026 Candidate Connection survey . Who fills out Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey? Any candidate running for elected office, at any level, can complete Ballotpedia’s Candidate Survey. Completing the survey will update the candidate’s Ballotpedia profile, letting voters know who they are and what they stand for. More than 28,000 candidates have taken Ballotpedia’s candidate survey since we launched it in 2015. Learn more about the survey here . Help improve Ballotpedia - send us candidate contact info .

2022

Malia Cohen completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Cohen’s responses. Expand all | Collapse all Who are you? Tell us about yourself. I was born and raised in San Francisco and attended public schools in the City. I earned a BA from Fisk University and a Master’s in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University. In 2010, I was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors where I served on the Budget and Finance Committee. I was elected to the State Board of Equalization in 2018 and serve as Chair overseeing over $80 billion in property taxes. I’ve served as President of the San Francisco Police Commission and as President of the San Francisco Employee Retirement System. I’m currently running for Controller to build a fairer, more equitable California for all. Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office? I plan to be a watchdog over California’s tax dollars to ensure that communities across the state are getting the funding they deserve. I have the experience needed to do this job having served as the Budget and Finance Chair for the San Francisco Employees Retirement System, Chair of the San Francisco Board of Supervisor’s Budget and Finance Committee, and Chair of the State Board of Equalization. I want to work to reduce fraud and waste in the system while also modernizing our state’s technological infrastructure. I want to bring equity and justice to the State Controller’s office to reduce historic inequalities. The Controller has the ability to spotlight issues and can produce data to inform policymakers on important decisions. I have done this throughout my career. While on the Board of Supervisors, I passed legislation requiring the San Francisco Police Department to produce quarterly reports on the use of force. I’ve also worked to make the San Francisco budgeting process more transparent to end political payouts that hinder the process. I am committed to transparency and making decisions that help build a California where everyone thrives. I have the values to do this job. While overseeing the San Francisco Employees Retirement System, I divested the City’s pension fund from fossil fuels to reaffirm our commitment to fighting climate change. While on the board of supervisors, I cracked down on fake health centers spreading false information relating to women’s reproductive health. While on the Board of Equalization, I have emphasized affordable housing and tax incentives that help minority homeowners. I am the only candidate in the race that has the values that reflect California voters. What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? I am passionate about issues involving justice and equity. I want to create a fair and transparent financial system in the state that delivers on its promises to building a California where everyone thrives. This means holding corporations accountable for paying their fair share and improving state technological infrastructure to create a system that everyone can use. I have done this throughout my career and will continue to do so as the next Controller. Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate’s campaign requests it.

2018

Ballotpedia survey responses See also: Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection Malia Cohen completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Cohen’s responses. What would be your top three priorities, if elected? The Board of Equalization has faced serious allegations of misconduct, including misallocation of tax payers dollars, widespread nepotism, and questionable spending. That is why I am running on a platform of transparency, accountability and fairness. 1) Transparency — I am running for the Board of Equalization because there is an urgent need for reform. Progressive change requires strong, morally driven representatives, and I have a proven history of capable leadership to enact this reform. If elected, I would make it an utmost priority to communicate openly with the public and would be an advocate for transparency regarding motivations for revenue collection within the state. 2) Accountability — It is imperative that the Board of Equalization holds everyone responsible for their fair share of taxes – both ensuring that larger companies are assessed fully, and that smaller assessments are not unfairly burdened for lack of advocates or resources. I consider it my role to be an advocate for small businesses and the people, not for special interests. 3) Fairness — The Board of Equalization must be fair and equally accessible to all business, rather than dominated by the interests of big business with entrenched interests. I will make it my priority to ensure that businesses and property owners of all sizes have equal and appropriate access to the Board during my term. All Californians have a right to assessment and hearing, regardless of size or income. What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? I have been a fearless advocate for working people throughout my career. As Supervisor, I championed the $15 minimum wage, invested in affordable housing, fought for reproductive rights and women’s safety, and successfully advocated to provide children with healthcare. I am also passionate about public health. Last year, I took on Big Soda and passed the sugar-sweetened beverage tax, generating over $14 million in San Francisco, and paving the way for soda tax initiatives across the country. I also took on Big Tobacco, passing legislation to ban flavored tobacco products in San Francisco as they disproportionately advertised to youth, people of color, low-income communities and LGBTQ individuals. What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official? Integrity and grit are two critical characteristics needed from our elected leaders. In California and beyond, strong leadership is more urgent than ever before. I believe that our leaders must have a moral backbone and not waver or give in to special interests and outside forces. In order to be successful, determination and grit are also of key importance. Our representatives must be willing to fight for their constituents, and never back down from taking tough stances on important issues which affect the lives of millions of people here in California. What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder? While issues come and go, people’s values never change. I have been successful throughout my career, because I am driven by my deep commitment to fairness, transparency, accountability and other strong values which drive my decision making and approach to leadership. I am not afraid to take bold actions on critical issues facing my constituents. At the Board of Equalization, I will champion reform and work to ensure that our state’s tax system works for the people — not special interests. What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office? The Board of Equalization oversees property taxation collected locally by county tax collectors, and sets “fair market value” of public utility property including buildings, land, structures, improvements, fixtures, and personal property. As a State Board of Equalization member, my proactive, consumer-friendly legislative agenda will emphasize uniformity of assessment practices among California counties, optimizing collection of tax revenues to which local governments are entitled, incentivizing small businesses to grow our economy, and ensuring transparency in tax administration statewide. What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government? The California Constitution establishes critical responsibilities that must be executed by members of the Board of Equalization. Those unique constitutional duties are of paramount importance to me. As a member of the Board of Equalization, I will effectively administer statewide programs that generate tax revenues on which local governments heavily depend. What responsibilities of this office do you personally consider the most important? The Board of Equalization is charged with ensuring tatewide uniformity in the administration of certain vital tax programs. Taxpayers throughout the state should be treated alike. In my view, uniformity and equalized treatment of all taxpayers, regardless of their location in California and regardless of the size of their business or residence, is the most important responsibility of a member of the Board of Equalization. Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of? Each year, the Board of Equalization publishes dozens of “Letters to Assessors,” providing statewide guidance to local assessors on cutting-edge issues, such as tax treatment of renewable solar energy and renewable wind power producers, whose “green” portfolios are critical to the future of all Californians. Do you believe that it’s beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics? Proactive leadership skills are, from my perspe

2018 — Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia’s candidate surveys Malia Cohen participated in Ballotpedia’s candidate survey on May 22, 2018. The survey questions appear in bold, and Malia Cohen’s responses follow below. [4] What would be your top three priorities, if elected? “ The Board of Equalization has faced serious allegations of misconduct, including misallocation of tax payers dollars, widespread nepotism, and questionable spending. That is why I am running on a platform of transparency, accountability and fairness. 1) Transparency — I am running for the Board of Equalization because there is an urgent need for reform. Progressive change requires strong, morally driven representatives, and I have a proven history of capable leadership to enact this reform. If elected, I would make it an utmost priority to communicate openly with the public and would be an advocate for transparency regarding motivations for revenue collection within the state. 2) Accountability — It is imperative that the Board of Equalization holds everyone responsible for their fair share of taxes – both ensuring that larger companies are assessed fully, and that smaller assessments are not unfairly burdened for lack of advocates or resources. I consider it my role to be an advocate for small businesses and the people, not for special interests. 3) Fairness — The Board of Equalization must be fair and equally accessible to all business, rather than dominated by the interests of big business with entrenched interests. I will make it my priority to ensure that businesses and property owners of all sizes have equal and appropriate access to the Board during my term. All Californians have a right to assessment and hearing, regardless of size or income. [5] [6] ” What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Why? “ I have been a fearless advocate for working people throughout my career. As Supervisor, I championed the $15 minimum wage, invested in affordable housing, fought for reproductive rights and women’s safety, and successfully advocated to provide children with healthcare. I am also passionate about public health. Last year, I took on Big Soda and passed the sugar-sweetened beverage tax, generating over $14 million in San Francisco, and paving the way for soda tax initiatives across the country. I also took on Big Tobacco, passing legislation to ban flavored tobacco products in San Francisco as they disproportionately advertised to youth, people of color, low-income communities and LGBTQ individuals. Cite error: Invalid tag; invalid names, e.g. too many [6] ” Ballotpedia also asked the candidate a series of optional questions. Malia Cohen answered the following: What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official? “ Integrity and grit are two critical characteristics needed from our elected leaders. In California and beyond, strong leadership is more urgent than ever before. I believe that our leaders must have a moral backbone and not waver or give in to special interests and outside forces. In order to be successful, determination and grit are also of key importance. Our representatives must be willing to fight for their constituents, and never back down from taking tough stances on important issues which affect the lives of millions of people here in California. [6] ” What qualities do you possess that would make you a successful officeholder? “ While issues come and go, people’s values never change. I have been successful throughout my career, because I am driven by my deep commitment to fairness, transparency, accountability and other strong values which drive my decision making and approach to leadership. I am not afraid to take bold actions on critical issues facing my constituents. At the Board of Equalization, I will champion reform and work to ensure that our state’s tax system works for the people — not special interests. [6] ” What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office? “ The Board of Equalization oversees property taxation collected locally by county tax collectors, and sets ""fair market value” of public utility property including buildings, land, structures, improvements, fixtures, and personal property. As a State Board of Equalization member, my proactive, consumer-friendly legislative agenda will emphasize uniformity of assessment practices among California counties, optimizing collection of tax revenues to which local governments are entitled, incentivizing small businesses to grow our economy, and ensuring transparency in tax administration statewide. [6] ” What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government? “ The most important leadership skill, in my opinion, is the ability to listen attentively and constructively. As a Board of Equalization member, I will be representing a broad range of taxpayers and I will be working closely with county assessors statewide. My job is to understand and address their specific concerns and needs, and to serve the best interests of all residents of District 2. I will lead by listening and then advancing the priorities of my constituents. [6] ” What responsibilities of this office do you personally consider the most important? “ The Board of Equalization is charged with ensuring tatewide uniformity in the administration of certain vital tax programs. Taxpayers throughout the state should be treated alike. In my view, uniformity and equalized treatment of all taxpayers, regardless of their location in California and regardless of the size of their business or residence, is the most important responsibility of a member of the Board of Equalization. [6] ” Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of? “ Each year, the Board of Equalization publishes dozens of “Letters to Assessors,” providing statewide guidance to local assessors on cutting-edge issues, such

2014

On her campaign website, Cohen highlighted the following issues: [7] Tackling Housing Affordability Stopping the Violence Bringing more Jobs to District 10 Improving Neighborhood Services

Enrichment source: Ballotpedia — https://ballotpedia.org/Malia_Cohen

Sources

• CalMatters 2026 Voter Guide
• Ballotpedia (enrichment, when available)