Last-minute California statewide offices voters will pick

California statewide – With the race to replace Gavin Newsom at the center of California’s attention, voters are also deciding a large slate of statewide offices that run elections, manage billions in public money, oversee licensing, and take on the fallout from historic wildfires—e

For weeks, California’s political spotlight has stayed fixed on the wild race to replace Gavin Newsom as governor. But the governor’s seat isn’t the only change headed to Sacramento. Voters will also elect a roster of statewide officeholders who will take on specific. often under-the-radar duties—jobs that don’t come with the same bully pulpit as the governor. yet still shape daily life across the state.

Unlike the governor. these roles are usually built around responsibilities with clear boundaries: investing taxpayer funds. auditing government. running elections. overseeing campaign financing. and dealing with the state’s biggest crises—most visibly. the home insurance fallout after historic wildfires.

Attorney general
California’s top law enforcement officer has become more high-profile than ever in the Trump era as the state challenges federal policies.

State treasurer
The state treasurer manages the state’s Pooled Money Investment Account. That account invests monies on behalf of state government and local jurisdictions, and it allocates state bond financing for projects related to education, infrastructure, the environment, or affordable housing.

Secretary of state
The secretary of state plays a central role in administering statewide elections. The office provides voters with information about ballot measures and statewide candidates, and it oversees campaign financing and lobbying activity. It also handles business licensing and filings.

State controller
The state controller uses audits and reports to hold entities and other governmental agencies accountable.

Lieutenant governor
The lieutenant governor’s job is defined by contingency and governance continuity. If the sitting governor dies, resigns, or is removed from office, the lieutenant governor would assume the role. The lieutenant governor also serves on boards that oversee state colleges and universities.

Insurance commissioner
The insurance commissioner regulates home, auto and other insurance. In recent years, the office has been consumed by the strain placed on homeowner insurance in the wake of historic wildfires.

Schools superintendent
The schools superintendent oversees the California Department of Education. which guides local school districts and also provides partial oversight. While the state superintendent typically takes advantage of the bully pulpit on education issues. the structure of the work still runs through the state’s education bureaucracy—setting direction that filters down to classrooms across California.

The picture that emerges is simple: even with one major race dominating headlines. the next group of statewide officeholders will be doing the behind-the-scenes work that keeps California functioning. Elections will be administered. Public money will be invested and financed. Government will be audited. And in the shadow of wildfire damage. the insurance commissioner’s role will remain a focus for homeowners still trying to make sense of what comes next.

California statewide offices attorney general state treasurer secretary of state state controller lieutenant governor insurance commissioner schools superintendent elections campaign financing home insurance wildfires