Prediction Edge
Democrat
Betty Yee

Betty Yee

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Overview

Current roleFormer Treasurer

PartyDemocratic

Political ideologyProgressive Democrat

Age68 years old (Oct 19, 1957)

GenderFemale

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LocationCalifornia

BackgroundPolitician

EducationLowell High School

Notable personal detailsBetty Ting Yee is an American politician and fiscal policy expert who served as California State Controller from 2015 to 2023. She previously served on the California State Board of Equalization from 2004 to 2015 and held senior budget roles in California state government, including Chief Deputy Director for Budget at the California Department of Finance. She is a University of California, Berkeley graduate and earned a Master of Public Administration from Golden Gate University. In 2024 she announced a campaign for California governor in 2026 and suspended her campaign on April 20, 2026.

SourcesShow
en.wikipedia.orgjoincalifornia.comvigarchive.sos.ca.govbettyyee.comcalmatters.orglatimes.comcft.orgltg.ca.govsco.ca.govdornsife.usc.educapradio.orgstanforddaily.comapnews.comgov.ca.govvig.cdn.sos.ca.govreddit.comiaff.orgcalchamberalert.comkcra.comuscannenbergmedia.comeastcountymagazine.orgcbsnews.comfoxla.comnews.yahoo.comstocktonia.orgivn.usmymotherlode.comebar.comwashingtonpost.comwikidata.orgvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgcba.ballotpedia.orgcdn.ballotpedia.orgballotready.orgnga.orgdurbin.senate.govwarner.senate.govradiotv.senate.govwhitehouse.senate.governst.senate.govdocquery.fec.govnass.org

Positions

LiberalConservative

Economy & Taxes

Betty Yee has called California’s tax system “unsustainable” and has advocated for comprehensive tax reform focused on fairness, certainty, and workability. In her public service she has promoted tax equity (including rules changes for same‑sex couples and online retailers), supported updating tax rules to promote green jobs, and established advisory review of tax proposals.

Healthcare

Supports expanding access to healthcare and has said health care should be a right; is open to a single-payer system and proposes piloting unified financing through Medi‑Cal while also prioritizing oversight, mental‑health access, and public health infrastructure investments.

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Immigration & Border

Betty Yee supports California’s sanctuary-state approach and opposes aggressive ICE raids that split up families. She backs limited cooperation with ICE for convicted offenders and supports access to at least a basic level of health care for immigrants moving through asylum or residency processes.

Abortion & Reproductive Rights

The candidate affirms defending reproductive freedom and criticizes the U.S. Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade, opposing reductions in abortion access. The candidate presents reproductive freedom as an essential freedom to be protected and expanded in California.

Climate & Energy

Supports urgent climate action and an equitable clean-energy transition, including measurable emissions targets, workforce development for renewable energy jobs, and environmental justice protections. Has a record of supporting state climate policies and closing an offshore oil platform. Emphasizes integrating climate considerations across policy areas like housing, public health, and wildfire resilience.

News

AINews Summary
Last updatedMar 14, 2026

Betty Yee says she is staying in the 2026 California governor’s race despite low polling and fundraising challenges, and is pitching a grassroots campaign focused on fiscal responsibility and government accountability. She is running in a crowded primary where no candidate has a clear lead, raising Democratic concerns that vote-splitting could let two Republicans advance under the top-two system. Yee also emerged as one of the better-performing Democrats at the state party convention, but Democrats still did not endorse any candidate.

en.wikipedia.org+42
Articles
TMThe Mercury News3 months ago

Culling the field for California governor? Don't look at me, says Betty Yee

Positive
WEWashington Examiner4 months ago

No California Democratic candidate procures endorsement in governor's race

Neutral
LALos Angeles Times4 months ago

Democrats' fear rising that too many candidates in governor's race could lead to a Republican victory

Neutral
NNewsweek4 months ago

California Democrats Fail to Endorse Candidate for Governor

Neutral

Polls

California Governor primary advancers? (Person)
Polling Average
30%20%10%0%
27.1%
15.0%
12.6%
12.5%
10.9%
10.8%
7.0%
5.8%
5.7%
Betty Yee
B. Yee
Kamala Harris
K. Harris
Steve Hilton
S. Hilton
Katie Porter
K. Porter
Chad Bianco
C. Bianco
Eric Swalwell
E. Swalwell
Tom Steyer
T. Steyer
Xavier Becerra
X. Becerra
Eleni Kounalakis
E. Kounalakis
Rob Bonta
R. Bonta
Rick Caruso
R. Caruso
Matt Mahan
M. Mahan
Antonio Villaraigosa
A. Villaraigosa
Tony Thurmond
T. Thurmond
Date (Start - End)SpreadYeeHarrisHiltonPorterBiancoSwalwellSteyerBecerraKounalakisBontaCarusoMahanVillaraigosaThurmond
Polling Average
Harris+24.5
2.6%27.1%15.0%12.6%12.5%10.9%10.8%7.0%5.8%5.7%4.5%4.3%4.2%1.6%
EvitarusMay 14 - 16
Hilton+22.0
0.0%–22.0%7.0%10.0%0.0%15.0%21.0%–––4.0%1.0%1.0%
EvitarusApr 30 - May 2
Hilton+17.0
1.0%–18.0%8.0%14.0%1.0%12.0%18.0%–––7.0%2.0%1.0%
Gudelunas StrategiesApr 23 - 27
Becerra+24.0
0.0%–23.0%10.0%13.0%0.0%15.0%24.0%–––6.0%2.0%1.0%
Independent Voter ProjectApr 14 - 20
Becerra+21.9
1.1%–19.7%11.4%16.7%–13.9%23.0%–––4.3%1.0%0.9%
Gudelunas StrategiesApr 14 - 18
Hilton+18.0
2.0%–20.0%13.0%14.0%0.0%15.0%15.0%–––6.0%3.0%2.0%
Kreate StrategiesApr 12 - 18
Hilton+16.0
2.0%–18.0%8.0%14.0%3.0%16.0%10.0%–––4.0%1.0%–
Kreate StrategiesApr 12 - 18
Hilton+16.0
2.0%–18.0%10.0%14.0%–16.0%10.0%–––4.0%1.0%–
EvitarusApr 15 - 17
Hilton+15.0
1.0%–16.0%10.0%14.0%1.0%13.0%13.0%–––5.0%2.0%1.0%
Emerson CollegeApr 14 - 15
Hilton+15.2
1.4%–16.6%10.3%14.4%–14.1%10.4%–––5.4%2.5%1.0%
SurveyUSAApr 8 - 10
Steyer+17.0
4.0%–18.0%8.0%8.0%9.0%21.0%4.0%–––4.0%5.0%1.0%
David Binder ResearchApr 1 - 6
Hilton+20.0
2.0%–22.0%11.0%13.0%18.0%12.0%4.0%–––5.0%2.0%2.0%
Gudelunas StrategiesApr 1 - 6
Hilton+20.0
2.0%–22.0%11.0%13.0%18.0%12.0%4.0%–––5.0%2.0%2.0%
EvitarusMar 31 - Apr 5
Bianco+13.0
1.0%–14.0%7.0%14.0%12.0%11.0%4.0%–––4.0%4.0%0.0%
Public Policy Institute of CaliforniaMar 26 - Apr 3
Swalwell+15.0
3.0%–17.0%10.0%14.0%18.0%14.0%5.0%–––5.0%5.0%2.0%
Kreate StrategiesMar 23 - 29
Hilton+16.0
3.0%–19.0%8.0%10.0%13.0%13.0%2.0%–––4.0%2.0%–
Echelon InsightsMar 12 - 17
Hilton+18.0
2.0%–20.0%10.0%14.0%15.0%13.0%3.0%–––4.0%3.0%1.0%
EvitarusMar 12 - 17
Hilton+14.0
2.0%–16.0%10.0%14.0%10.0%10.0%3.0%–––3.0%3.0%1.0%
University of California Berkeley Institute of Governmental StudiesMar 9 - 15
Hilton+16.0
1.0%–17.0%13.0%16.0%13.0%10.0%5.0%–––4.0%4.0%1.0%
Emerson CollegeMar 7 - 9
Swalwell+15.0
2.3%–13.3%8.4%11.4%17.3%10.9%3.0%–––3.2%3.2%1.0%
University of California Berkeley Jack Citrin Center for Public Opinion Research/TrueDotFeb 25 - Mar 3
Hilton+17.0
2.0%–19.0%11.0%11.0%11.0%13.0%5.0%–––3.0%4.0%1.0%
Independent Voter ProjectFeb 13 - 20
Bianco+21.4
1.9%–14.9%12.4%23.3%17.9%8.0%3.4%–––2.1%2.8%1.3%
Emerson CollegeFeb 13 - 14
Hilton+15.3
1.8%–17.1%9.8%13.5%14.1%8.8%3.5%–––3.4%2.8%2.1%
Public Policy Institute of CaliforniaFeb 3 - 11
Hilton+9.0
5.0%–14.0%13.0%12.0%11.0%10.0%5.0%–––3.0%5.0%2.0%
EMC ResearchJan 29 - Feb 4
Bianco+19.0
2.0%–17.0%12.0%21.0%18.0%9.0%6.0%–––5.0%3.0%1.0%
J. Wallin Opinion ResearchJan 29 - Feb 1
Hilton+10.0
4.0%–14.0%8.0%11.0%9.0%12.0%6.0%–––4.0%7.0%3.0%
Tulchin ResearchJan 22 - 28
Hilton+13.0
2.0%–15.0%13.0%15.0%14.0%10.0%5.0%––––7.0%1.0%
David Binder ResearchJan 17 - 20
Bianco+16.0
1.0%–14.0%11.0%17.0%11.0%8.0%5.0%––––3.0%2.0%
FM3 ResearchNov 30 - Dec 7
Hilton+17.0
1.0%–18.0%13.0%17.0%17.0%6.0%3.0%––––3.0%1.0%
Emerson CollegeDec 1 - 2
Bianco+11.4
1.9%–11.5%11.0%13.3%11.5%4.3%3.5%––––5.0%1.9%
Public Policy Institute of CaliforniaNov 13 - 19
Porter+14.0
7.0%–14.0%21.0%10.0%––14.0%––––8.0%2.0%
Tavern ResearchOct 27 - 30
Bianco+13.0
3.0%–12.0%15.0%16.0%––9.0%––––5.0%2.0%
University of California Berkeley Institute of Governmental StudiesOct 20 - 27
Bianco+10.0
3.0%–8.0%11.0%13.0%–1.0%8.0%––3.0%–5.0%1.0%
University of California Berkeley Institute of Governmental StudiesOct 20 - 27
Bianco+11.0
2.0%–8.0%9.0%13.0%–1.0%5.0%––3.0%–3.0%1.0%
EMC ResearchOct 22 - 26
Hilton+17.0
3.0%–20.0%16.0%14.0%11.0%3.0%9.0%––––5.0%3.0%
Bold DecisionOct 16 - 21
Bianco+10.0
4.0%–13.0%12.0%14.0%–7.0%8.0%––––7.0%1.0%
Bold DecisionOct 16 - 21
Hilton+11.0
3.0%–14.0%14.0%14.0%––5.0%––––6.0%1.0%
Bold DecisionOct 16 - 21
Hilton+11.0
5.0%–16.0%14.0%13.0%––9.0%––––11.0%2.0%
Emerson CollegeOct 20 - 21
Hilton+14.1
1.6%–15.7%14.7%10.7%––5.0%––––5.2%2.7%
Emerson CollegeSep 15 - 16
Porter+14.0
1.5%–9.8%15.5%7.5%––3.4%––4.1%–3.9%1.1%
Emerson CollegeSep 15 - 16
Porter+12.8
3.0%–9.9%15.8%7.9%––4.8%––3.7%–3.8%1.3%
University of California Berkeley Institute of Governmental StudiesAug 11 - 17
Porter+15.0
2.0%–6.0%17.0%10.0%––9.0%––4.0%–4.0%1.0%
University of California Berkeley Jack Citrin Center for Public Opinion Research/Possibility Lab/TrueDotJul 31 - Aug 12
Porter+15.0
6.0%–10.0%21.0%15.0%––9.0%7.0%–6.0%–9.0%2.0%
Emerson CollegeAug 4 - 5
Porter+15.7
1.9%–11.8%17.6%7.1%––2.7%2.5%–4.1%–4.6%1.0%
Emerson CollegeApr 12 - 14
Harris+30.1
1.1%31.2%–7.7%4.2%––1.8%2.0%–––1.9%0.7%
Emerson CollegeApr 12 - 14
Porter+9.8
2.6%––12.4%4.3%––3.0%2.8%–––4.9%1.6%
Capitol WeeklyFeb 3 - 7
Harris+21.0
2.0%23.0%–16.0%–––4.0%2.0%7.0%8.0%–2.0%1.0%
Capitol WeeklyFeb 3 - 7
Porter+23.0
3.0%––26.0%–––5.0%5.0%9.0%8.0%–3.0%2.0%
Breakthrough CampaignsNov 22 - 26
Porter+18.0
3.0%––21.0%6.0%––2.0%8.0%6.0%5.0%–3.0%3.0%
Breakthrough CampaignsNov 22 - 26
Porter+18.0
6.0%––24.0%14.0%––6.0%9.0%–––3.0%2.0%
University of California Berkeley Institute of Governmental StudiesOct 22 - 29
Porter+8.0
2.0%–3.0%10.0%8.0%––3.0%3.0%3.0%2.0%–4.0%1.0%
David Binder ResearchOct 10 - 15
Kounalakis+14.0
4.0%–––––––18.0%–––9.0%7.0%
University of Southern California/California State University Long Beach Center for Urban Politics and Policy/Cal Poly PomonaSep 12 - 25
Porter+11.4
2.6%–4.0%14.0%4.7%––2.9%2.1%3.5%2.6%–2.6%1.3%
University of Southern California/California State University Long Beach Center for Urban Politics and Policy/Cal Poly PomonaSep 12 - 25
Villaraigosa+3.1
4.5%–––––––4.5%–––7.6%2.6%
Tulchin ResearchAug 8 - 12
Villaraigosa+6.0
7.0%–10.0%–––––10.0%–––13.0%4.0%

Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne

New updates coming soon

We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.

  • Endorsements
  • Fundraising