Malia Cohen
2023 - Present
2027
1
Malia Cohen (Democratic Party) is the California Controller. She assumed office on January 2, 2023. Her current term ends on January 4, 2027.
Cohen (Democratic Party) ran for election for California Controller. She won in the general election on November 8, 2022.
Cohen completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. Click here to read the survey answers.
Cohen was a member of the California State Board of Equalization, representing District 2 from 2019 to 2022.
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]
Elections
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 | |
| 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. | ||||
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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 | |
| 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. | ||||
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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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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
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]
Campaign themes
2022
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Malia Cohen completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Cohen's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
| Collapse all
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.
- 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.
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 perspective, more important than government or political experience. Some government and political officeholders are skilled leaders; others are not. Some private sector business executives are skilled leaders; others are not. Some academics and university administrators are skilled leaders; others are not. I have an established record as a skilled leader.
What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?
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.
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.
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 |
” |
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] |
” |
| “ | 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] |
” |
| “ | 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] |
” |
| “ | 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] | ” |
| “ | 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] | ” |
| “ | 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.[6] | ” |
| “ | Proactive leadership skills are, from my perspective, more important than government or political experience. Some government and political officeholders are skilled leaders; others are not. Some private sector business executives are skilled leaders; others are not. Some academics and university administrators are skilled leaders; others are not. I have an established record as a skilled leader.[6] | ” |
| “ | 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] | ” |
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
Issues
ESG
| Environmental, social, and corporate governance |
|---|
.png/100px-Economy_and_Society_-_Ballotpedia_Page_Icon_(2021).png){kind=icon}
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| Select a topic from the dropdown below to learn more. |
Cohen took positions supporting the environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG), an approach to investing and corporate decision-making.
State financial officers, including treasurers, auditors, and controllers, are responsible for auditing other government offices, managing payroll, and overseeing pensions. In some states, certain SFOs are also responsible for investing state retirement and trust funds.
ESG Proposals as Candidate for State Controller (2022)
As a candidate for state controller in 2022, Cohen released a four page economic plan. The document outlined several ESG-related proposals:[8]
| “ | California’s Controller occupies a critical role in building a climate action agenda for our state. As a permanent member of the State Lands Commission and Chair in even numbered years, our Controller helps oversee our land, our water and the rights to the natural resources of our state.
Overseeing land management, offshore drilling and mineral rights, the State Lands Commission has a tremendous opportunity to set the strongest possible standards of conservation. As Controller, I’m committed to working toward using our public lands for renewable energy, ending our dependence on oil and gas. I will work hand-in-hand to hold current lease holders to the highest possible standards of environmental stewardship and seek opportunities to transition away from extraction policy. The Controller’s audit function and role as a member of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) and California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS) Boards grant additional opportunities to write a greener future for our state. I will use the audit function to ensure that grant programs and spending through programs, like those awarded through the California Energy Commission, meet their end goal of advancing “the state’s transition to clean energy and transportation through innovation, efficiency, and the development and deployment of advanced technologies.” And, while California has led in leveraging our combined $570 billion public pension portfolios (the two largest pension systems in the nation) for the greater good, I’ll work to push the net-zero emissions target for the Climate Action 100 companies to 2040 – because our future can’t wait.[6] |
” |
| —Malia Cohen | ||
San Francisco Employee Retirement System Fossil Fuel Divestment (2018)
In August 2017, Cohen, then a San Francisco city supervisor and member of the San Francisco City & County Employees' Retirement System, supported a measure that would have divested the county's $23 billion pension fund from fossil fuel energy firms. The fund's staff and its general investment consultant recommended against the measure. In January 2018, the board approved a modified proposal to hire a director to oversee ESG investing and divest from what the board said was the “worst of the worst” fossil fuel energy firms. Cohen supported the modified measure.[10][11]
Cohen said the board had “taken another step forward to divesting of the riskiest and dirtiest fossil fuel companies.”[12]
Endorsements
2014
In 2014, Cohen's endorsements included the following:[13]
- Alliance for Jobs
- Police Officers Association
- San Francisco Women's Political Committee (SFWPC)
- Building & Construction Trades Council
- Deputy Sheriffs’ Association
- Firefighters Local 798
- Laborers 261
- United Educators of SF – Executive Board
- San Francisco Young Democrats
- Operating Engineers - Local 3
- SEIU - Local 87
- SEIU - UHW
- SFSU College Democrats
- IBEW Local 6
- Ironworkers Local 377
- SF Black Young Democrats
- Democratic Women in Action
- Building Owners & Managers Association
- Black Women Organized for Political Action
- Filipino American Democratic Club
- Professional and Technical Engineers, Local 21
- Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi
- Congresswoman Jackie Speier
- Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom
- Attorney General Kamala Harris
- Senator Mark Leno
- CA Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins
- CA Democratic Party Chairman John Burton
- Former Speaker Pro Tempore Fiona Ma
- Mayor Edwin M. Lee
- Public Defender Jeff Adachi
- Assessor Recorder Carmen Chu
- Supervisor David Chiu
- Supervisor Scott Wiener
- Supervisor London Breed
- Supervisor Eric Mar
- Supervisor Katy Tang
- Board of Education Commissioner Matt Haney
- Board of Education Commissioner Rachel Norton
- Board of Education Commissioner Emily Murasev
See also
| California | State Executive Elections | News and Analysis |
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External links
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Candidate California Controller |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ California State Board of Equalization, "About Malia M. Cohen," accessed January 2, 2023
- ↑ City of San Francisco, "Official candidate list,"
- ↑ San Francisco Board of Elections, "2014 Unofficial General Election Results," accessed November 4, 2014
- ↑ Note: The candidate's answers have been reproduced here verbatim without edits or corrections by Ballotpedia.
- ↑ Ballotpedia's candidate survey, "Malia Cohen's responses," May 22, 2018
- ↑ 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Re-elect Malia, "Priorities," accessed September 30, 2014
- ↑ Malia Cohen: Democrat for California Comptroller, “Issues,” accessed December 24, 2022
- ↑ Malia Cohen: Democrat for California Comptroller, “Issues,” accessed December 24, 2022
- ↑ Pensions & Investments, “San Francisco board split on staff-opposed measure to divest fossil-fuel companies,” August 7, 2017
- ↑ Chief Investment Officer, “San Francisco Approves Scaled-Back Divestment Plan,” January 25, 2018
- ↑ Chief Investment Officer, “San Francisco Approves Scaled-Back Divestment Plan,” January 25, 2018
- ↑ Re-elect Malia, "Endorsements," accessed September 30, 2014
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Betty Yee (D) |
California Controller 2023-Present |
Succeeded by - |
| Preceded by Fiona Ma (D) |
California State Board of Equalization District 2 2019-2023 |
Succeeded by Sally Lieber (D) |
| Preceded by - |
San Francisco Board of Supervisors District 10 2011-2019 |
Succeeded by Shamann Walton |
| ||||||||||||||
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State of California Sacramento (capital) |
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