Questions about Herb Morgan and the Controller race

The Controller is California’s chief fiscal officer. The office reviews payments, administers statewide accounting and payroll functions, carries out authorized audits and manages the unclaimed-property program. The Controller also serves on boards and commissions. These responsibilities put the office close to the records needed to check how public money is handled.

No. They are separate offices. The State Auditor issues independent performance audits and investigations, including the 2024 homelessness review. The Controller has its own financial operations and audit duties. Identifying which office produced a report prevents confusion about who performed the work.

No. The Governor proposes a budget and the Legislature enacts spending laws. The Controller’s financial responsibilities include checking claims for payment and producing records. Stronger oversight can inform budget decisions, but the Controller cannot simply replace the elected budget-making process.

The general election is November 3, 2026. Use the California Secretary of State and your county elections office for registration, ballot and voting instructions. The candidate pages explain the race; official elections offices provide the instructions that apply to your ballot.

Yes. The general election is a choice between the candidates who advanced, and voters do not have to share a candidate’s party registration to vote for that person. Evaluate the responsibilities, qualifications and record that matter to you, and follow official instructions for casting your ballot.

It should identify what was reviewed, the period covered, the evidence supporting the finding and the response from the responsible agency. It should distinguish an unsupported payment from confirmed fraud, and identify any correction or recovery. That gives readers something they can check and compare over time.

The Controller handles statewide accounting, payment review, authorized audits and services such as unclaimed property. The Treasurer manages state banking, financing and debt-related functions. The State Auditor independently examines agencies and programs. For example, the 2024 homelessness review came from the State Auditor; it was not a report produced by Cohen’s Controller office.