Endorsement: Lanhee Chen for controller because California needs an independent fiscal watchdog

California voters have two impressive candidates to choose from in the race for state controller, an obscure but important office that cuts the checks that keep the government running and has the power to audit state finances. Opinion L.A. Times electoral endorsements for November 2022 The L.A. Times’ editorial board endorsements for statewide ballot measures, elected offices in Los Angeles city and county, L.A. Unified School District board, L.A. county superior court, statewide offices, the state Legislature and U.S. House and Senate seats. A focused and independent controller can help point the way toward changes that will make spending more effective at addressing the state’s pressing problems. Chen’s opponent, Democrat Malia Cohen, has a track record of government service on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and the state Board of Equalization, which oversees property tax collection. She has strong ties to the state’s power structure, having received major campaign funding from influential public employee unions and endorsements from the California Democratic Party, most statewide officials and dozens of lawmakers.