Californians are choosing 8 statewide leaders today. Only 1 of them gets Gavin Newsom’s office

In summary

Besides picking a new governor, California voters are electing an insurance commissioner, attorney general, superintendent, treasurer and controller.

With all the attention on who will succeed Gavin Newsom in the governor’s office — not to mention that little thing called Congress — it’s possible to forget that a lot of other people are vying for key statewide roles. 

But they’re important jobs that keep the state running: Who will serve as California’s top cop and prosecutor? Who will regulate the state’s struggling insurance market? Who will oversee elections, and make sure your vote gets counted?

We’re staying tuned. You should, too.

Attorney general

Rob Bonta, the current attorney general and a Democrat, is running against Republican Michael Gates for the role of the state’s top law enforcement officer. Bonta has held the job since 2021, during which time he has filed or joined dozens of lawsuits against the Trump administration. Gates, a former trial attorney, worked for the city of Huntington Beach for more than a decade. 

Superintendent of public instruction

Two school board presidents are going head to head in the race for state superintendent – a role with limited authority that nonetheless offers a big platform to reach millions of children in the state’s public schools. Sonja Shaw, a Republican who served on the Chino Valley Unified school board and has been an outspoken critic of protections for transgender students, is up against Richard Barrera, a Democrat who served on the San Diego Unified school board. Barrera is backed by the state’s largest teachers union, the California Teachers Association, and the California Charter Schools Association. 

Lieutenant governor

Two longtime public leaders are facing off for the role of lieutenant governor, a largely ceremonial job which acts as a stand-in when the governor is absent and can serve as a tiebreaker in the state Senate. Fiona Ma, a Democrat and the state’s treasurer since 2019, is facing Gloria Romero, a Republican who served nearly a dozen years in the state Legislature as a Democrat.

State controller

Malia Cohen, a Democrat who promises “transparency, efficiency and fairness,” is up for reelection as the state’s chief accountant. She faces a challenge from Herb Morgan, a Republican who founded an investment firm in San Diego and promises to expose waste and fraud in state government. 

Secretary of state

Election day is a good time to reflect on the importance of the secretary of state, whose office is responsible for ensuring votes are counted correctly, issues voter guides and certifies candidates and statewide ballot initiatives. The office also handles corporate business filings, maintains state archives and collects data about lobbying and campaign finances. The incumbent, Democrat Shirley Weber, has served since 2021. She faces Republican Donald Wagner, an Orange County supervisor, former mayor of Irvine and state assemblymember. 

Treasurer

A surprising duo is squaring off for the role of the state’s top banker: Eleni Kounalakis, a Democrat who has served two terms as the state’s lieutenant governor, is running against Jennifer Hawks, a Republican Silicon Valley retiree who has not served in elected office. The treasurer manages unspent taxpayer dollars and handles state borrowing and debts.

Insurance commissioner

In one of the state’s most heavily contested races, voters are choosing between two Democrats to regulate the state’s struggling insurance market as wildfire risks grow and insurers pull away. Former San Francisco supervisor and consumer advocate Jane Kim is facing off against Ben Allen, a state senator from Los Angeles for this important role. 

Board of Equalization

Four districts are up for election in this five-member group, the nation’s only elected tax board. Among its jobs: hearing taxpayer appeals, advising county assessors and setting the taxable value of property owned by utilities and railroads.

For District 1, which covers much of inland California, Nelson Esparza, a Democratic Fresno city councilmember, is up against Shannon Grove, a Republican state senator and businesswoman.

For District 2, covering coastal California north of Los Angeles, incumbent Democrat Sally Lieber is facing a challenge from John Pimentel, a Democrat and member of the San Mateo County Community College District Board of Trustees. 

For District 3, representing the Los Angeles area, Democratic state Assemblymember Mike Gipson is running against Samuel Sukaton, a Democratic labor union organizer.

For District 4, representing the San Diego area, Republican Denis Bilodeau, a taxpayer association president and Orange city councilmember, is facing off with Tom Umberg, a Democratic state senator.