Fiona Ma, who said she has been a licensed CPA since 1992, is running for lieutenant governor as a Democrat in the Nov. 3 general election against Republican Gloria Romero.

Ma said on her campaign website that her accounting and public finance background shapes her approach to state government. She has served as treasurer since 2019, according to BallotReady, an election information platform. The South Bay Labor Council is among her endorsers.

Candidate information

  • Party: Democratic
  • Education: Bachelor's degree in accounting, Rochester Institute of Technology (1988); master's degree in taxation, Golden Gate University (1992); MBA, Pepperdine University (2000)
  • Background: Ma said she is the oldest child of immigrant parents whose family moved to San Francisco in 1985.

Ma said on her campaign website that she is the first woman of color and first woman CPA elected as state treasurer, first winning the office Nov. 6, 2018, and winning re-election in 2022.

Experience and public service

According to BallotReady and her campaign website, Ma's career includes:

  • Accountant, Ernst & Young (1988–1994)
  • Tax accountant, Fiona Ma, CPA (1994–2002)
  • District representative for Senator John L. Burton (1995–2001)
  • Supervisor, District 4, San Francisco Board of Supervisors (2002–2006)
  • State Assembly, District 12 (2006–2012), including majority whip and speaker pro tempore
  • Board member, District 2, California State Board of Equalization (2014–2019)
  • State treasurer (2019–present)

Ma said she also serves on the CalPERS and CalSTRS boards.

On the issues

Economy and budget: Ma said she oversees $3.7 trillion in annual disbursements and manages an investment portfolio of $150-$250 billion per year as treasurer. She said she would fight to grow the economy, attract investment and create jobs as lieutenant governor.

Housing: Ma said her background as a real estate tax accountant drives her commitment to building more housing.

Health care: Ma said she will fight for health care access, citing her own pre-existing condition and her mother's struggle with depression.

Public safety: Ma said nearly 60 of her legislative proposals became law, including measures addressing human trafficking, domestic abuse survivors' rights and toxic chemicals in baby products. As the spouse of a firefighter, she said she will champion first responders.

Environment: Ma said she has advocated for socially responsible and climate-smart investing through the CalPERS and CalSTRS boards.

Endorsements

Listed on Ma's campaign website, her X/Twitter account and BallotReady:

  • Eleni Kounalakis, California lieutenant governor
  • Dr. Shirley N. Weber, California secretary of state
  • Assemblymember Buffy Wicks
  • Senator John Laird
  • AFL-CIO
  • AFSCME Local 3299
  • California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO
  • California Professional Firefighters
  • California Teachers' Association
  • Communication Workers of America
  • International Brotherhood of Teamsters
  • Laborers' International Union of North America
  • North State Labor Federation, AFL-CIO
  • Peace Officers Research Association of California
  • California Association of Highway Patrolmen
  • San Diego Building & Construction Trades Council
  • South Bay Labor Council
  • State Building and Construction Trades Council of California
  • United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals
  • Alameda County Democrats
  • California - Orange County Democrats
  • Fresno County Democrats
  • Los Angeles County Democrats
  • Riverside County Democrats
  • San Diego County Democratic Party
  • Santa Clara County Democrats
  • Alice B Toklas Democratic Club
  • Fresno Stonewall Democrats
  • Heart of LA Democratic Club
  • Los Angeles Stonewall Democrats
  • Pacific Palisades Democratic Club
  • San Diego Democrats for Equality
  • San Francisco Women's Political Committee
  • The United Democratic Club
  • National Women's Political Caucus of California
  • Bay Area Reporter Editorial Board
  • San Francisco Bay Times Editorial Board
  • Community Action Fund of Planned Parenthood Orange San Bernardino Counties
  • Monterey County Farm Bureau
  • Planned Parenthood of Orange, San Bernadino
  • Planned Parenthood of San Diego, Riverside, Imperial

Candidate information is drawn from Ma's campaign website, BallotReady and candidate questionnaire responses. Policy positions reflect the candidate's own statements.