Betty Ting Yee (born October 19, 1957) is an American politician who served as California State Controller from 2015 to 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, Yee previously served as a member of the California State Board of Equalization from 2004 to 2015. In 2024, Yee announced her candidacy in the 2026 California gubernatorial election before suspending her campaign in 2026 and endorsing Tom Steyer.
Early life and career Yee was born on October 19, 1957, in San Francisco, to immigrant parents from Guangdong Province, China. Yee is a graduate of Lowell High School. In 1979, she graduated University of California, Berkeley with a Bachelor of Arts in sociology. In 1981, she graduated from Golden Gate University with a Master of Public Administration.
Yee worked for the legislature and was then governor Gray Davis's chief deputy director for budget. She then became the chief deputy to California State Board of Equalization member Carole Migden., San Francisco Chronicle, October 29, 2006 She was appointed to fill the seat when Migden vacated it after being elected to the California State Senate.
Political career California Board of Equalization Yee ran for election to remain on the California State Board of Equalization after her appointment and was elected in 2006 from the 1st Board District and was re-elected in 2010. She led the successful effort to force Amazon to collect sales taxes on online purchases.
California State Controller She ran in the 2014 California State Controller election to succeed term-limited Democratic incumbent John Chiang, who was elected California State Treasurer. In the nonpartisan primary, Republican Ashley Swearengin, the Mayor of Fresno, and Yee finished first and second, respectively. John Pérez, the third-place finisher, who was the Democratic Speaker of the California State Assembly, initially called for a recount in 15 counties after official results showed him trailing Yee by just 481 votes out of over 4 million cast; however, he ultimately conceded to Yee. Swearengin and Yee competed in the general election, which Yee won by 3,810,304 votes (53.97%) to 3,249,668 (46.03%).
Yee was on the California State Lands Commission. She opposed fracking for oil.
Yee has served as the vice chair of the California Democratic Party since May 2021, after defeating party secretary Jenny Bach and Victorville Council member Blanca Gómez.
2026 gubernatorial campaign
Yee officially announced her campaign on March 27, 2024, with a video highlighting her upbringing as the daughter of immigrants and experience handling the state budget. Yee suspended her campaign on April 20, 2026, and endorsed Tom Steyer.
Electoral history
2006
2010
2014
2018
2021
2026
Notes
References
External links
Campaign website