Malia
M. Cohen

A poll of 828 likely November voters, commissioned by Morgan's campaign and conducted by pollster David Wolfson (field dates September 15–16), showed Cohen at 49.5% and Morgan at 41.2%, with 9.4% undecided. After additional information, figures shifted to 48.7% Cohen and 42.5% Morgan. A modeled result allocating leaners showed 52.3% Cohen to 47.7% Morgan. Margin of error was ±4 percentage points. The poll was campaign-sponsored, not independent.

In a Southern California News Group voter-guide interview, Cohen said she sought a second term to modernize the state's fiscal-management system. She said the Controller's Office could help address hospice fraud by auditing Medi-Cal programs and examining gaps in the Department of Health Services' fiscal oversight and internal controls.

ABC7 reported that a Morgan-commissioned internal poll showed him within single digits of incumbent Cohen, though the article did not provide field dates, sample size, or full methodology.

In separate ABC7 interviews, Cohen defended her record on financial reporting and unclaimed property backlogs, said her office was developing an AI pilot to flag irregularities before payments go out, and disputed claims that fraud is as widespread as Morgan and the Trump administration allege. Morgan called for daily transaction publishing and AI-flagged audits, saying 'We don't have a spending problem. We have a fraud problem.'

The editorial boards of The Sacramento Bee, Modesto Bee, Merced Sun-Star, Fresno Bee, and San Luis Obispo Tribune endorsed Republican Herb Morgan. The board noted Cohen had not responded to their interview requests.

Voter guides reported Cohen's endorsements included the California Democratic Party, Governor Gavin Newsom, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, Senate President pro Tempore Monique Limón, the California Labor Federation, and Equality California.

As of September 19, California Secretary of State campaign-finance data showed Cohen with more than $1.6 million in cash compared to Morgan's approximately $140,000. Labor unions were noted as key Cohen contributors; Morgan's support came primarily from individual donors.

Malia Cohen led the top-two primary with 54.7% of the vote versus Morgan's 41.1%. Peace and Freedom candidate Meghann Adams received 4.2%. Both Cohen and Morgan advanced to the November general election.