A guide to 2022 California controller’s primary race: Can GOP win in Golden State?

In the race for California controller, Republicans hope a divided field of Democrats will allow the party’s one candidate to emerge on top in the June 7 primary.

But even then, Democrats are likely to have the advantage in November. Republicans have not won a general election for statewide office since 2006, the year Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger nabbed reelection and Steve Poizner became insurance commissioner.

The current state controller, Betty Yee, has served two four-year terms and can’t run again. Four Democrats’ names will appear on the June 7 ballot, alongside a single Republican and a member of the Green Party.

The candidates

• Lanhee Chen, fiscal advisor/policy expert
• Malia Cohen, member of state Board of Equalization
• Ron Galperin, L.A. City Controller
• Steve Glazer, state senator
• Laura Wells, financial analyst
• Yvonne Yiu, chief financial officer

All six candidates answered detailed questionnaires written by the San Diego Union-Tribune. Here are their responses.

The job

According to the state, these are the controller’s main responsibilities:

• Account for and control the disbursement of all state funds.
• Determine the legality and accuracy of any claim made against the state.
• Issue warrants in payment of the State’s bills, including lottery prizes.
• Administer the Uniform State Payroll System.
• Audit and process all personnel and payroll transactions for state civil service employees, exempt employees and California State University employees.
• Audit various state and local government programs.
• Inform the public of the state’s financial condition.
• Administer the Unclaimed Property Law.
• Inform the public of financial transactions carried out by city, county and district governments.

Reading list:

The suspense in California’s June 7 primary election is in races far down the ballot

Column: A Republican has a shot at becoming California state controller. Yes, you read that right

Policy expert Lanhee Chen runs for California controller in bid to break GOP losing streak

Commentary: Three California races that might shake up the June primary

For Subscribers

A top California official pushed hard for a $600-million mask deal. Fraud claims followed

Democrats will be chasing Republican Lanhee Chen in California controller’s race

Reading from other publications

Digging into the state controller’s race
(CalMatters)

Interviewing candidates from state controller
(Sacramento Bee)

The race for state controller
(Spectrum One)

Is a Republican controller what California needs?
(San Francisco Chronicle)

Roundtable discussion with the candidates
(KQED)

More guides to the election:

How to vote in the 2022 primary election in California

Election 2020: Where to vote in Southern California

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