New Statewide Poll: California Controller Race Tightens as Voters Demand More Transparency and Financial Accountability
Herb Morgan closes the gap with Malia Cohen as more than 9 in 10 voters support publishing state spending details and stronger independent audits
FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: A FLIPPING HOPE — An internal poll from Republican state Controller candidate Herb Morgan has him trailing incumbent Democrat Malia Cohen by just eight points, providing his campaign with fodder to argue the race is competitive despite California’s partisan tilt. Some Republicans in the state have contended that Morgan, a retired investor who has been campaigning alongside Steve Hilton and other statewide GOP candidates, is the party’s best shot at statewide office. - Politico
California voters are sending a pretty unmistakable message about the state’s finances: They want to see where the money is going.
A new statewide survey of 828 likely November voters finds the race for California State Controller tightening between incumbent Democrat Malia Cohen and Republican financial executive Herb Morgan.
The September 15–16 poll, conducted by pollster David Wolfson, begins with Cohen at 49.5% and Morgan at 41.2%, with 9.4% undecided — an 8.3-point gap. After voters hear more information about the race, the margin falls to 6.2 points, with Cohen at 48.7% and Morgan at 42.5%.
The poll memo reports that among remaining undecided voters who express a final-ballot lean, 58.8% lean toward Morgan and 41.2% toward Cohen. When those leaners are allocated, the poll models the race at 52.3% Cohen to 47.7% Morgan, a 4.6-point difference. The survey has a ±4 percentage-point margin of error.
But the bigger story may be why voters are moving — and what they say they want from California's next Controller.
Californians Want Someone Watching the Money
When voters were asked to choose their three highest priorities for the next State Controller, 63.2% selected finding waste, fraud and abuse in state government, making it the top response.
Another 56.7% chose protecting taxpayers from government mismanagement, while 43.9% selected increasing transparency in state spending.
Those concerns become even clearer when voters are asked about specific reforms.
An extraordinary 95.3% support providing detailed information online showing where state government spends taxpayer money.
Another 92.8% support more frequent independent audits of agencies and programs where there are concerns about waste, fraud or mismanagement.
And this isn't passive support. Nearly three-quarters — 73.9% — strongly support publishing spending details, while 66.3% strongly support more frequent independent audits.
That is strikingly close to the argument Morgan has been making throughout his campaign.
Morgan has proposed publishing transaction-level state spending online, using technology to make government expenditures easier for Californians to follow and using advanced analytical tools to identify potentially suspicious spending for further review. His official candidate statement describes his proposal as “radical transparency,” with near-real-time transaction-level reporting. (California Secretary of State)
76.7% in Say Taxpayers Don't Have Enough Information
The poll also asked voters directly whether they are concerned that California taxpayers don't have enough information about how state government spends their money.
76.7% said they are concerned.
More significantly, 54% said they are “very concerned.”
That concern comes as the Controller's office has become a more visible part of the statewide debate over financial oversight. The Controller serves as California's chief accountant and has responsibilities involving state finances and audits. (KPBS Public Media)
Morgan has centered his campaign on expanding public visibility into state spending and strengthening financial oversight. Cohen, meanwhile, has also emphasized transparency and fiscal responsibility in her reelection campaign and says her office has expanded access to financial and payroll information. (California Secretary of State)
The difference between the candidates is increasingly becoming a debate over what financial transparency should actually look like — and how aggressive the Controller should be in pursuing it.
Voters Give California's Financial Management Poor Marks
Perhaps the most consequential number in the entire survey appears on page three.
62.3% of likely voters say California's state finances are being managed poorly.
More than half of voters — 51.7% — say they are being managed “very poorly.” Only 32.9% rate the state's financial management somewhat or very well, while 4.8% aren't sure.
And this isn't a poll consisting primarily of Republicans.
The sample is 48.1% Democratic, 30.9% Republican and 18.9% Independent/No Party Preference, with another 2.1% identifying with another party.
That matters.
The dissatisfaction reflected in the survey is occurring within an electorate where Democrats substantially outnumber Republicans.
The Controller Race Is Becoming a Debate About the Books
California's State Controller election doesn't usually command the attention of races for Governor, U.S. Senate or President.
But the office sits at the center of something voters clearly care about: what happens to their money after Sacramento spends it.
Morgan has made that question the foundation of his campaign.
His proposal calls for dramatically expanding transaction-level public reporting, strengthening audits and using modern technology to identify potential waste and fraud. Cohen argues that her administration has expanded fiscal transparency and has pointed to improvements including the state's recent timely audited financial statements. (California Secretary of State)
Now voters will decide which approach they want.
The Wolfson survey doesn't determine the outcome of the election, and its ±4-point margin of error means the precise size of the candidates' support should not be overstated. But it does provide a clear snapshot of what likely voters say they want from the office.
They want waste and fraud investigated.
They want stronger oversight.
They want independent audits.
And, overwhelmingly, they want to see the books.
California Poll Facts
The statewide survey was conducted September 15–16 among 828 likely November 2026 California voters using MMS text-to-web methodology. Respondents were registered voters who said they definitely intended to vote and were selected using registration-based sampling, vote history and turnout modeling. The poll reports a 95% confidence level and ±4% margin of error.
Comments