Controller race features face-off between Democrats

The race for state controller has been one of the more interesting on the ballot, and the drama is within the Democratic Party.

Board of Equalization member Betty Yee and former Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez, both Democrats, are battling for two available spots on the November ballot along with Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin, a Republican who is widely expected to lock one of the spots down.

The top two finishers Tuesday will advance to the general election.

Pérez, who was Assembly speaker until last month, has enjoyed strong support from labor unions. The former labor operative from Los Angeles also has a larger war chest, allowing him to run television ads touting his work on the state budget alongside Gov. Jerry Brown.

Yee is from the Bay Area and is hoping voters recognize her financial expertise from more than two terms on the state tax board. She previously worked in Gov. Gray Davis’ Department of Finance. Yee has raised much less money than Pérez, limiting her advertising.

The controller makes sure California’s bills get paid on time and oversees a team of auditors examining state and local finances. The position also gets a seat on public pension boards.

Swearengin is touting her experience as mayor in Fresno, a city once on the brink of bankruptcy. Republicans currently do not hold any statewide offices in California and have steadily lost ground in voter registration, making a general election campaign a heavy lift for a GOP candidate.