Lieutenant governor to tax board:  What the candidates for California’s other statewide offices say

Besides governor, Californians will choose seven other statewide officers and a member of the state tax board on Nov. 3.  Here is what each job does and what the candidates say they would do, in their own words from the state Voter Information Guide.

Candidate statements are written and paid for by the candidates and are not checked for accuracy by any state agency, the guide says.  No public polls from named pollsters were found for these races as of Oct. 29.

The California Republican Party has endorsed every Republican in these races:  Gloria Romero, Don Wagner, Herb Morgan, Jennifer Hawks, Michael Gates and, in the nonpartisan schools race, Sonja Shaw.  Several Democrats say in their statements that the California Democratic Party endorsed them.

Lieutenant governor:  Fiona Ma (D) vs. Gloria Romero (R)

The lieutenant governor takes over if the governor leaves office and breaks tie votes in the state Senate.  Ma, the state treasurer and a certified public accountant, says she would make college more affordable and expand paid internships.  She lists the California Democratic Party among her endorsers.

Romero, a former state Senate majority leader, says “one-party rule has failed us.”  She says she would restore education standards and “defend Title IX for our daughters in sports.”  Title IX is the federal law against sex discrimination in schools.

Secretary of state:  Shirley N. Weber (D) vs. Don Wagner (R)

The secretary of state runs statewide elections.  Weber, the current secretary of state, says some people “want shorter polling hours, fewer days to vote, and the removal of vote-by-mail ballots.”  She says she has “stood up to Donald Trump.”

Wagner says California's election system is “mismanaged and broken” because counting takes more than a month.  He supports voter ID at the polls and cleaner voter rolls.  He pledges to “speed up vote counting” and to make the office nonpartisan.

Controller:  Malia M. Cohen (D) vs. Herb W Morgan (R)

The controller is the state's chief accountant and auditor.  Cohen, the current controller, says she has expanded public access to state financial and payroll data and is updating the state payroll system.  Morgan says he would put all state spending in an online database “with transaction-level detail and near real-time reporting.”

Treasurer:  Eleni Kounalakis (D) vs. Jennifer Hawks (R)

The treasurer manages state investments and sells state bonds.  Kounalakis, the current lieutenant governor and a former housing builder, says she would use public finance to build more affordable housing and protect pensions.  Hawks, a business professional, says the state needs “a financial watchdog, not another politician” and promises to expose waste.

Attorney general:  Rob Bonta (D) vs. Michael E. Gates (R)

The attorney general is the state's top law officer.  Bonta, the current attorney general, did not submit a statement.  Gates, the former Huntington Beach city attorney, says he would fully enforce Proposition 36, the 2024 measure on repeat theft and drug crimes.  He would also prosecute fentanyl traffickers.

Insurance commissioner:  Ben Allen (D) vs. Jane Kim (D)

Two Democrats are in this race.  The commissioner regulates insurance companies at a time of rising home insurance costs.  Allen, a state senator, says he would “increase competition to bring down costs” and opposes “an untested large-scale system.”  Kim, a former San Francisco supervisor, proposes a public “Disaster Insurance for All” program and caps on “excessive profits.”  Both say they take no insurance company money.

Superintendent of public instruction:  Richard Barrera vs. Sonja Shaw

This office is officially nonpartisan.  Barrera, president of the San Diego Unified school board, says he would keep immigration agents out of schools.  He also promises to protect LGBTQ students.  He lists the California Democratic Party and the California Teachers Association among his endorsers.

Shaw, president of the Chino Valley Unified school board, says she would “restore high academic standards in reading, writing, and math.”  She also says she would protect girls' sports.  The state Republican Party endorses her.

Board of Equalization, District 2:  Sally J. Lieber (D) vs. John Pimentel (D)

Santa Clara County is in District 2 of the Board of Equalization, an elected board that oversees property tax assessments.  Lieber, the board's chair, says she has expanded property tax relief for veterans and low-income families.  She lists the California Democratic Party as an endorser.

Pimentel, a former state deputy transportation secretary, says the board “rubber-stamps sweetheart tax breaks for utilities.”  He wants to end the sales tax on restaurant and delivered food.  He lists Rep. Sam Liccardo and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan among his endorsers.

Source:  Secretary of State, Voter Information Guide, candidate statements; Lieutenant governor statements; Secretary of state statements; Controller statements; Treasurer statements; Attorney general statements; Insurance commissioner statements; Superintendent of public instruction statements; Board of Equalization statements; California Republican Party endorsements