California down ballot state executive elections, 2014
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June 3, 2014 |
November 4, 2014 |
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Four down ballot state executive positions were up for election in the state of California in 2014. The general election took place on November 4, 2014.
Voters selected two new officeholders for down ballot offices, as Treasurer Bill Lockyer (D) and Comptroller John Chiang (D) did not seek re-election for their current positions. Chiang won election to the treasurer's office, while Lockyer was prevented from running due to term limits. Tom Torlakson won re-election to the nonpartisan office of the California Superintendent of Public Instruction and Dave Jones won another term as state insurance commissioner.
California uses a top-two primary system, in which all candidates appear on the same ballot. The top two vote-getters, regardless of party affiliation, move on to the general election. In states that do not use a top-two system, all parties are usually able to put forward a candidate for the general election if they choose to.[1][2]
Unlike the top-two format used in some states (Louisiana and Georgia special elections for example), a general election between the top-two candidates in California occurs regardless of whether the top candidate received 50% of the vote in the first round of elections.
As of June 2025, California was one of five states to use a top-two primary system, or a variation of the top-two system. See here for more information.
For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article. The blanket primary took place on June 3.
Treasurer
Candidates
General election
John Chiang 
- California Controller since 2006
Greg Conlon - Former Public Utilities Commissioner[3]
Term-limited
Bill Lockyer - Incumbent
Lost in the primary
Ellen Brown - Attorney, writer[4]
Results
General election
| Treasurer of California, 2014 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | John Chiang |
58.8% | 4,176,793 | |
| Republican | Greg Conlon | 41.2% | 2,925,895 | |
| Total Votes | 7,102,688 | |||
| Election results via California Secretary of State | ||||
Primary election
| California Treasurer, Blanket Primary, 2014 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | John Chiang |
55% | 2,250,098 | |
| Republican | Greg Conlon |
38.4% | 1,571,532 | |
| Green | Ellen Brown | 6.6% | 270,388 | |
| Total Votes | 4,092,018 | |||
| Election results via California Secretary of State | ||||
Duties
The treasurer is the state's banker, directed to "receive and keep in the vaults of the State Treasury or deposit in banks or credit unions all moneys belonging to the state..."[5] He disburses funds to cover state expenditures based on warrants from the controller's office, approves state bond issuances and manages the state's investments, including state employee pension funds.
Beyond administrative duties, the treasurer chairs 13 state boards and commissions, from the California Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority to the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee. He also sits as a member on 45 additional committees.
Campaign finance
Comprehensive donor information for this election has been collected by Follow the Money. Based on available campaign finance records, the candidates raised a total of $3,614,855 during the election. This information was last updated on February 5, 2015.[6]
| Campaign Contribution Totals | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Office | Result | Contributions | |
| John Chiang |
California Treasurer |  |
$3,535,687 | |
| Greg Conlon |
California Treasurer |  |
$62,822 | |
| Ellen Brown |
California Treasurer | |
$16,346 | |
| Grand Total Raised | $3,614,855 | |||
Past elections
2010
| California Treasurer, 2010 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Bill Lockyer Incumbent |
56.5% | 5,433,222 | |
| Republican | Mimi Walters | 36.2% | 3,479,709 | |
| American Independent | Robert Lauten | 1.4% | 135,931 | |
| Green | Charles "Kit" Crittenden | 2.4% | 231,160 | |
| Libertarian | Edward M. Teyssier | 2.3% | 218,384 | |
| Peace and Freedom | Debra L. Reiger | 1.3% | 125,566 | |
| Total Votes | 9,623,972 | |||
| Election results via California Secretary of State | ||||
2006
| California Treasurer, 2006 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Bill Lockyer |
54.4% | 4,523,854 | |
| Republican | Claude Parrish | 37.2% | 3,095,615 | |
| American Independent | E. Justin Noonan | 1.1% | 93,281 | |
| Green | Mehul M. Thakker | 2.4% | 201,670 | |
| Libertarian | Marian Smithson | 4% | 334,056 | |
| Peace and Freedom | Gerald Sanders | 0.9% | 71,726 | |
| Total Votes | 8,320,202 | |||
| Election results via California Secretary of State | ||||
Controller
Candidates
General election
Ashley Swearengin - Mayor of Fresno[7]
Betty Yee - State Board of Equalization Member and former Deputy State Budget Director[8][9]
Filed for other office
John Chiang - Incumbent
Lost in the primary
John Perez - State Assemblyman[10][11]
David Evans (California) - Accountant, 2010 candidate[7][12]
Tammy D. Blair - Administrator[7]
Laura Wells - 2010 gubernatorial candidate, 2002 controller candidate[13]
Results
General election
| California Controller, 2014 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Betty Yee |
54% | 3,810,304 | |
| Republican | Ashley Swearengin | 46% | 3,249,668 | |
| Total Votes | 7,059,972 | |||
| Election results via California Secretary of State | ||||
Primary election
| California Controller, Blanket Primary, 2014 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Ashley Swearengin |
24.8% | 1,001,473 | |
| Democratic | Betty Yee |
21.7% | 878,195 | |
| Democratic | John Perez | 21.7% | 877,714 | |
| Republican | David Evans | 21% | 850,109 | |
| Green | Laura Wells | 5.7% | 231,352 | |
| Democratic | Tammy D. Blair | 5% | 200,532 | |
| Total Votes | 4,039,375 | |||
| Election results via California Secretary of State | ||||
Duties
The controller's primary responsibility is to track and control the disbursement of the state of California's money. Besides producing the warrants under which money is released from the state treasury, the controller's office audits personnel and payroll transactions, administers the Uniform State Payroll System for state employees and "determine[s] legality and accuracy of every claim against the State."[14] Before allowing the state's money to be dispersed, the controller's office "determines the legality and accuracy of all claims against the State through the performance of prepayment audits." Beyond his financial responsibilities, the controller's duties contain a public relations element; he is responsible for informing "the public of the State's financial condition," and "financial transactions of city, county and district governments."[14]
The controller's office has several other miscellaneous fiscal duties, including a number related to tax administration; it administers the state's unclaimed property program, the Property Tax Postponement Program and collects the state's estate, inheritance and gift taxes. It also audits the use of gasoline and property taxes.
Race background
Close contest in the primary
In the June 3 primary, Republican Mayor of Fresno Ashley Swearengin secured the first nomination to advance to the general election, but the race for second place was considered too close to call until July 1, when Democrat Betty Yee was named the winner by less than 500 votes out of over four million ballots cast, or one-hundredth of 1 percent.[15] Any registered California voter can request a recount within five days of the official canvassing deadline, however he or she would have to pay the bill. In a statement released after Yee was declared the victor, third-place finisher and fellow Democrat John Pérez said, "Since this is one of closest statewide elections in the history of California, we have an obligation to review and ensure that every vote cast is accurately counted."[16] Pérez's campaign held a reported $1.8 million cash in hand before the primary, short of the $2.7 million estimated cost of a full statewide hand recount.[17]
On July 6, Pérez ordered a recount to take place in 15 counties, including the populous Los Angeles County, where he hoped his home-turf advantage could sway the vote in his favor and thereby justify the substantial $1 million investment of recount funds.[18] Recount efforts lasted one week before Perez officially conceded the race for second place to Yee.[19]
Campaign finance
Comprehensive donor information for this election has been collected by Follow the Money. Based on available campaign finance records, the candidates raised a total of $3,998,499 during the election. This information was last updated on February 5, 2015.[20]
| Campaign Contribution Totals | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Office | Result | Contributions | |
| Betty Yee |
California Controller | |
$1,865,404 | |
| Ashley Swearengin |
California Controller | |
$1,131,777 | |
| John Perez |
California Controller | |
$993,498 | |
| Laura Wells |
California Controller | |
$7,791 | |
| Tammy D. Blair |
California Controller | |
$29 | |
| David Evans |
California Controller | |
$0 | |
| Grand Total Raised | $3,998,499 | |||
Past elections
2010
| California Controller, 2010 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | John Chiang Incumbent |
55.1% | 5,325,357 | |
| Republican | Tony Strickland | 36.1% | 3,487,014 | |
| Libertarian | Andrew Favor | 3% | 292,441 | |
| Peace and Freedom | Karen Martinez | 2.2% | 209,638 | |
| Green | Ross Frankel | 2% | 191,282 | |
| American Independent | Lawrence Beilz | 1.6% | 154,145 | |
| Total Votes | 9,659,877 | |||
| Election results via California Secretary of State | ||||
Superintendent of Public Instruction
Candidates
General election
Tom Torlakson - Incumbent
Marshall Tuck - Former Charter School System CEO[21]
Lost in the primary
Lydia Gutierrez - Public school teacher[22]
Results
General election
| Superintendent of California, 2014 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Nonpartisan | Tom Torlakson Incumbent |
52.1% | 3,167,212 | |
| Nonpartisan | Marshall Tuck | 47.9% | 2,906,989 | |
| Total Votes | 6,074,201 | |||
| Election results via California Secretary of State | ||||
Primary election
| California Superintendent of Public Instruction, Blanket Primary, 2014 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Nonpartisan | Tom Torlakson Incumbent |
46.5% | 1,767,257 | |
| Nonpartisan | Marshall Tuck |
28.9% | 1,098,441 | |
| Nonpartisan | Lydia Gutierrez | 24.5% | 931,719 | |
| Total Votes | 3,797,417 | |||
| Election results via California Secretary of State | ||||
Duties
The superintendent of public instruction is the administrative head of the California Department of Education; he or she executes the policies made by the state Board of Education and oversees the operation of the state's public school system. The superintendent provides local and county school boards with blank teachers certificates, oversees all state education employees, organizes adult education programs, evaluates the performance of public schools and manages departmental facilities and resources, among other duties.[23]
Campaign finance
Comprehensive donor information for this election has been collected by Follow the Money. Based on available campaign finance records, the candidates raised a total of $4,873,920 during the election. This information was last updated on February 5, 2015.[24]
| Campaign Contribution Totals | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Office | Result | Contributions | |
| Marshall Tuck |
California Superintendent of Public Instruction | |
$2,430,179 | |
| Tom Torlakson |
California Superintendent of Public Instruction | |
$2,405,921 | |
| Lydia Gutierrez |
California Superintendent of Public Instruction | |
$37,820 | |
| Grand Total Raised | $4,873,920 | |||
Past elections
2010
| California Superintendent of Public Instruction, 2010 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Nonpartisan | Tom Torlakson |
54.5% | 4,222,946 | |
| Nonpartisan | Larry Aceves | 44.9% | 3,476,243 | |
| Write-In | Diane Lenning | 0.6% | 46,061 | |
| Total Votes | 7,745,250 | |||
| Election results via California Secretary of State | ||||
Commissioner of Insurance
Candidates
General election
Dave Jones - Incumbent[25][26]
Ted Gaines - State Sen.[27][28]
Lost in the primary
Peace and Freedom Party, Nathalie Hrizi - Public school teacher, community activist[29][30]
Results
General election
| Insurance Commissioner of California, 2014 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Dave Jones Incumbent |
57.5% | 4,038,165 | |
| Republican | Ted Gaines | 42.5% | 2,981,951 | |
| Total Votes | 7,020,116 | |||
| Election results via California Secretary of State | ||||
Primary election
| California Insurance Commissioner, Blanket Primary, 2014 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Dave Jones Incumbent |
53.1% | 2,106,671 | |
| Republican | Ted Gaines |
41.6% | 1,651,242 | |
| Peace and Freedom | Nathalie Hrizi | 5.4% | 212,991 | |
| Total Votes | 3,970,904 | |||
| Election results California Secretary of State | ||||
Duties
The commissioner, as head of the California Department of Insurance, is responsible for regulating the state's insurance industry. The department licenses insurance providers, approves all rate or premium increases, investigates consumer complaints and allegations of fraud, analyzes insurance policy issues, and supervises the financial well-being of insurance companies. The department is also responsible for winding down the operations of bankrupt insurance companies and liquidating their assets. It also publishes a variety of information for consumers, including insurance news, guides and legal info.
Campaign finance
Comprehensive donor information for this election has been collected by Follow the Money. Based on available campaign finance records, the candidates raised a total of $3,622,847 during the election. This information was last updated on February 5, 2015.[31]
| Campaign Contribution Totals | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Office | Result | Contributions | |
| Dave Jones |
California Insurance Commissioner | |
$3,419,612 | |
| Ted Gaines |
California Insurance Commissioner | |
$199,370 | |
Nathalie Hrizi  |
California Insurance Commissioner | |
$3,865 | |
| Grand Total Raised | $3,622,847 | |||
Past elections
2010
| California Commissioner of Insurance, 2010 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Dave Jones |
50.6% | 4,765,400 | |
| Republican | Mike Villines | 37.6% | 3,540,626 | |
| Libertarian | Richard Bronstein | 4% | 372,676 | |
| Peace and Freedom | Dina Josephine Padilla | 3.1% | 293,502 | |
| Green | William Balderston | 2.7% | 252,301 | |
| American Independent | Clay Pedersen | 2.1% | 198,374 | |
| Total Votes | 9,422,879 | |||
| Election results via California Secretary of State | ||||
Recent news
Commissioner of Insurance
This section links to a Google news search for the term "California + commissioner + insurance + elections"
Controller
This section links to a Google news search for the term "California + controller + elections"
Superintendent of Public Instruction
This section links to a Google news search for the term "California + Superintendent + Schools + elections"
Treasurer
This section links to a Google news search for the term "California + treasurer + elections"
See also
- California state executive official elections, 2014
- California elections, 2014
- State executive official elections, 2014
- California Treasurer
- California Controller
- California Superintendent of Public Instruction
- California Commissioner of Insurance
External links
- California State Treasurer
- California State Controller's Office
- California State Superintendent of Public Instruction
- California Insurance Commissioner
Footnotes
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "State Primary Election Types," accessed August 13, 2024
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Primary Elections in California," accessed August 13, 2024
- ↑ Greg Conlon for Treasurer 2014 Official campaign website, "Homepage," accessed March 26, 2014
- ↑ Ellen Brown for Treasurer 2014 Official campaign website, "Homepage," accessed February 11, 2014
- ↑ California Government Code, "Title 2, Division 3, Part 2, Chapter 4, Article 2," accessed June 24, 2011
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Overview of California 2014 elections," accessed February 5, 2015
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 California Secretary of State, "Voter Guide: Voluntary Campaign Spending Limits for Candidates for Statewide Elective Office," accessed March 28, 2014 (dead link) (dead link)
- ↑ Betty Yee for Comptroller 2014, "Homepage," accessed September 12, 2013
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedAug15candidates - ↑ John Perez for Controller 2014 Official campaign website, "Homepage," accessed November 12, 2013
- ↑ "Capitol Alert," "John A. Perez announces run for state controller in 2014," accessed October 8, 2013.
- ↑ David Evans for State Controller 2014 Official campaign website, "Homepage," accessed March 28, 2014
- ↑ Laura Wells for Controller 2014 Official campaign website, "Homepage," accessed November 25, 2013
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 California State Controller's Office, "Responsibilities of the Controller's Office," accessed June 24, 2011
- ↑ Sacramento Bee, "Capitol Alert: California controller's race among tightest in U.S. since 2000," July 1, 2014
- ↑ John Pérez for Controller 2014 Official campaign website, "Homepage," accessed July 2, 2014
- ↑ CalNewsroom.com, "Controller 2014: Why the cost of a recount favors Betty Yee," June 28, 2014
- ↑ The Los Angeles Times, "John Pérez calls for recount in tight race for state controller," July 6, 2014 (dead link)
- ↑ The Sacramento Bee, "Perez calls off recount in California Controller race," July 18, 2014
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Overview of California 2014 elections," accessed February 5, 2015
- ↑ Marshall Tuck for Superintendent of Public Instruction 2014 Official campaign website, "Homepage," accessed March 28, 2014
- ↑ Lydia Gutierrez for Superintendent of Public Instruction 2014 Official campaign website, "Homepage," accessed March 28, 2014
- ↑ California Education Code, "Title 2, Division 2, Part 20, Chapter 2, Article 2, Sections 33110-33133," accessed June 27, 2011
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Overview of California 2014 elections," accessed February 5, 2015
- ↑ The Sacramento Bee, "California's insurance commissioner seeks re-election, more power," December 22, 2013
- ↑ Dave Jones for Insurance Commissioner 2014 Official campaign website, "Homepage," accessed March 28, 2014
- ↑ The Pine Tree, "Gaines Announces Bid for California Insurance Commissioner," October 3, 2013
- ↑ Ted Gaines for Insurance Commissioner 2014 Official campaign website, "Homepage," accessed March 28, 2014
- ↑ Independent Political Report, "Party for Socialism and Liberation: Enough of the Republicans & Democrats… Help put 3 independent candidates on the ballot!" December 28, 2013
- ↑ Nathalie Hrizi for Insurance Commissioner 2014 Official campaign website, "Homepage," accessed March 28, 2014
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Overview of California 2014 elections," accessed February 5, 2015
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