Latest news with #Eleni Kounalakis
Bloomberg
08-08-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Eleni Kounalakis Drops Out of California Governor's Race
California Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis has dropped her campaign for governor and will instead run for state treasurer next year. Kounalakis, a Democrat, said in a statement on social media that she thinks she can 'make the greatest impact' by focusing on California's finances, with an agenda that includes boosting housing affordability.
CBS News
08-08-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis ends 2026 bid for California governor, launches campaign for treasurer
California Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis has announced that she is ending her campaign to run for governor in 2026. In a statement, Kounalakis said she has decided to run for state treasurer instead. "This decision was not made lightly," Kounalakis said Friday. "At this moment, I believe I can make the greatest impact by focusing on California's financial future." She added, "As State Treasurer, I will bring a deep commitment to fiscal responsibility, economic opportunity and strategic investment in our state's priorities." The state's first woman to be elected lieutenant governor, Kounalakis was the first to throw her hat into the ring for the 2026 governor's race, announcing her campaign in April 2023. Kounalakis' announcement comes one week after former Vice President Kamala Harris announced she would not run for California governor, following months of speculation of a potential run after losing last year's presidential election. Over a dozen candidates have announced their intentions to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom as leader of the nation's most populous state. Newsom cannot seek re-election in 2026 due to term limits. On the Democratic side, declared candidates include former Secretary of health and Human Services and former California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, former Rep. Katie Porter, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. For the Republican nomination for governor, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and former Fox News host Steve Hilton are among those who have launched campaigns. Republicans have not won a statewide race in California since 2006. Kounalakis previously served as the United States Ambassador to Hungary from 2010 to 2013. Before entering government, Kounalakis headed Sacramento-based real estate company AKT Development.
