Abby Hamblin: California election: Here’s what controller, insurance commissioner, attorney general and treasurer actually do

Nov. 05--Controller? Insurance Commissioner? Member of the state board of equalization?

These are some of the many statewide elected positions Californians were asked to vote for on the 2018 general election ballot. And since voters have the power to determine who fills these roles, it's always a good time to review their responsibilities and better understand what they mean to the state.

Here's an overview of what these offices are all about.

Governor

Last to hold the office: Jerry Brown (Democrat)

2018 candidates: John H. Cox (Republican) and Gavin Newsom (Democrat)

Job responsibilities:

* Oversee most state departments and agencies.

* Appoint judges.

* Submit an annual budget to the Legislature.

* Propose and approve or veto legislation.

* Fill vacancies in other state offices.

* Oversee California National Guard.

* Mobilize and direct state resources during emergencies.

Lieutenant governor

Last to hold the office: Gavin Newsom (Democrat)

2018 candidates: Ed Hernandez (Democrat) and Eleni Kounalakis (Democrat)

Job responsibilities:

* Take over as governor if the sitting governor is out of state or vacates the position.

* Serve as president of the state Senate and have a tie-breaking vote.

* Chair or serve as a member of many state boards and commissions including the Commission for Economic Development, California State Lands Commission, and the Board of Regents of the University of California. Read more about these positions here.

Secretary of State

The secretary of state is the chief elections officer.

Last to hold the office: Alex Padilla (Democrat)

2018 candidates: Alex Padilla (Democrat) and Mark P. Meuser (Republican)

Job responsibilities:

* Oversee statewide elections.

* Provide public access to financial information on campaigns and lobbyists.

* Maintain certain business filings, authenticate trademarks, regulate notaries public and enable secured creditors to protect their financial interests.

* Trustee of California Museum.

* Oversee state archives and other filings and registries. For more information about these duties, go here.

Controller

The controller servers as the chief fiscal officer for the state.

Last to hold the office: Betty T. Yee (Democrat)

2018 candidates: Konstantinos Roditis (Republican) and Betty T. Yee (Democrat)

Job responsibilities:

* Keep track of and disburse state funds.

* Determine legality and accuracy of claims made against the state.

* Administer state payroll system.

* Serve on the California Board of Equalization, the Board of Control and other boards and commissions. For more information, go here.

Treasurer

The treasurer's duties are related to investment and finance and the office holder is essentially the state's asset manager, banker and financier.

Last to hold the office: John Chiang (Democrat)

2018 candidates: Greg Conlon (Republican) and Fiona Ma (Democrat)

Job responsibilities:

* Manage the state's Pooled Money Investment Account.

* Serve on the boards of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) and California Teachers' Retirement System (CalSTRS).

* Finance public works including transportation projects, parks, and environmental projects.

* Serve as chair or member of many other boards, commissions and authorities. View the full list here.

Attorney General

The attorney general is the state's top lawyer and law enforcement official.

Last to hold the office: Xavier Becerra (Democrat)

2018 candidates: Steven Bailey (Republican) and Xavier Becerra (Democrat)

Job responsibilities:

* Ensure that state laws are enforced.

* Investigate fraudulent or illegal activity.

* Oversee the California Department of Justice.

* Oversee law enforcement agencies, including county district attorneys and sheriffs. For more information, go here.

Insurance Commissioner

Last to hold the office: Dave Jones (Democrat)

2018 candidates: Ricardo Lara (Democrat) and Steve Poizner (No Party Preference)

Job responsibilities:

* Head the California Department of Insurance.

* License, regulate, and examine insurance companies.

* Answer public questions and complaints about the insurance industry.

Superintendent of Public Instruction

The superintendent of public instruction is the state's chief of public schools. This is a nonpartisan office.

Last to hold the office: Tom Torlakson

2018 candidates: Tony K. Thurmond and Marshall Tuck

Job responsibilities:

* Provide education policy direction to local school districts.

* Work with the educational community to improve academic performance.

* Head the Department of Education.

* Carry out policies set by the California Board of Education.

Email: abby.hamblin@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @abbyhamblin

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