PRESS RELEASE - ICYMI: Reporter Eytan Wallace calls out Controller Malia Cohen for dodging interviews

Contact: Matt Shupe

Praetorian Public Relations

(415) 735-8491

Matt@PraetorianPR.com

Press Release

For Immediate Release: Oct. 15, 2026

Sacramento, Calif. -- California capitol correspondent for Nexstar TV, Eytan Wallace, published a video on X today calling out Controller Malia Cohen for spending months dodging interview requests and ultimately being the only statewide candidate to not be interviewed by Wallace.

Watch his video here: https://x.com/eytanwallace/status/2110767075195322529?s=46

Republican candidate for Controller, Herb Morgan, issued the following statement in response:

“Malia Cohen has apparently mastered the five Ds of dodgeball: dodge, duck, dip, dive, and dodge again, when reporters want to ask even basic questions about her record. Canceling a confirmed interview and offering canned written answers instead of facing follow-up questions is an embarrassing display of evasiveness from California’s chief fiscal watchdog. Meanwhile, newspapers across California are lining up to endorse me, not her, including the recent addition of the San Diego Union-Tribune.”

To schedule an interview with Morgan, please contact Matt Shupe at Matt@PraetorianPR.com or (415) 735-8491.

Here is an AI generated transcript from Wallace's video (may contain errors):

Well, hi everybody, it's Capitol Correspondent Eytan Wallace, and right from the top, let me be very clear: this is a video I did not want to make, but I felt I had to make this video as a last resort. And before I get into the content of the video, let me be also clear: this is in no way an endorsement for or against any candidate, but I felt I had to make this video to explain to you, the viewer, why our election coverage, featuring all the candidates for various statewide constitutional offices, will not include incumbent State Controller Democrat Malia Cohen.

Now, as part of my election coverage this year, as I do every year, I reached out to various candidates running for state constitutional offices. That way, I can give you, the voters, an opportunity to hear directly from the candidates looking to lead our state. Cohen is the only incumbent my team and I have not been able to get a video interview with this election cycle. And that is precisely why I feel I had to make this video to explain to you, the voter, why Cohen will not appear in our candidate election coverage. Because at first glance, of course, if you're not featuring one candidate, that does seem unfair. But I want to be clear: we made every attempt to reach out to her campaign and conduct a video interview with Cohen.

Now, some context here about what the state controller even does. The controller is California's chief fiscal officer. The controller's office oversees the disbursement of state funds, helps ensure government agencies are spending taxpayer money appropriately, conducts independent audits, and manages the state's payroll system. In other words, this is an important state leadership role responsible for accountability and, importantly, your tax dollars. And that is exactly why you, the voters, deserve to hear directly from the candidates hoping to represent you in this role.

Now, getting more into specifics: for about two months now, I've made efforts to schedule a brief 10- to 15-minute Zoom interview with Controller Cohen. I interviewed her opponent, Republican Herb Morgan, about his campaign months ago, and I wanted to ensure we'd be fair to Malia Cohen by giving her the same opportunity to address voters.

Now, in fairness to Cohen's team, they did do a good job of being in touch with me. They have been communicating directly with me. In August, they did tell me that Cohen would not be available for an interview until October. Of course, I understand she's busy, so we agreed to work around her schedule and try to set a date in October. Well, just last week, we finally agreed to a date for this video Zoom interview. It would be Monday, October 12th. It would take place at 10 a.m. It would not be live.

Now, the night before the interview, I sent more specific topics about what I was looking to discuss with Cohen. That, of course, included her message for voters, why voters should give her a second chance in office, why voters should trust her with their taxpayer dollars. And I wanted to ask about a state audit report that came out earlier this month that concluded some employees in her office were violating state rules by working out of state in places like Idaho and Tennessee.

Just a short time after reviewing these topics, a member from her team told me a conflict had arisen during the time we scheduled for our interview and that Cohen would no longer be available for this video interview. When I asked to reschedule, I was told she would no longer be available for any video interview until after the election. Now, her team did say if I wanted to, I could send over pre-written questions and then they could respond with pre-written answers. Of course, I had to respectfully decline, because you, the viewers, deserve to hear directly from her, and there should be an opportunity for follow-up questions. Everything I'm saying, including the events that happened, are backed up in writing from texts and emails between the Cohen campaign and me.

Now, let me be clear: the questions I wanted to ask her were fair, but tough. I can guarantee you, Republicans and Democrats in that building would vouch for me that I'm not a gotcha journalist. I'm not trying to do any gotcha journalism. I think these are legitimate questions that the viewers and the voters should hear at home. Now, let me also be clear: I recognize I am not owed any interview, but I do want to say that it is my responsibility to ask tough but fair questions for public officials. It is ultimately up to them to decide whether to answer those questions.

Also, I totally understand people are busy, especially a state controller. Don't get me wrong, I really understand that. I do wish they could have squeezed in a 10- to 15-minute interview. I'm also very busy. After all, I have eight stations I report for across the state. It's a big audience. I do not take this responsibility lightly. As always, thank you so much for your trust and for watching. Be well, everybody.

Paid for by Herb Morgan for State Controller 2026