Eleni Kounalakis
Running for Governor — 2026 election
As of July 2026, Eleni Kounalakis is a Democratic candidate for Governor in California in the 2026 election. No campaign finance filings or stock disclosures have been recorded for this candidate yet. This page updates automatically as primary-source filings appear.
Data last updated April 2026.
Eleni Kounalakis is California's Lieutenant Governor and the leading establishment Democratic candidate for governor in 2026, when Gavin Newsom is term-limited. The daughter of Sacramento real estate developer Angelo Tsakopoulos, she served as U.S. Ambassador to Hungary under President Obama before winning the lieutenant governorship in 2018. California's open 2026 gubernatorial race is among the most expensive and closely watched in the country, with multiple well-funded Democrats vying for the nomination.
Housing Affordability
Build significantly more housing; reform zoning; reduce homelessness
- Backed Newsom administration's housing production goals and transit-oriented zoning reforms
- Supported state legislation overriding local zoning to allow more housing near transit
- Advocated for increased state investment in affordable housing and homelessness services
Economy & Business Climate
Keep California competitive; retain businesses fleeing to lower-tax states
- Focused economic development work on international trade and investment as lieutenant governor
- Backed streamlining permitting for businesses and development projects
- Advocated for strengthening California's innovation economy in biotech and AI
Climate & Energy
Meet California's nation-leading climate goals while maintaining energy reliability
- Supported California's 100% clean energy by 2045 goal
- Backed offshore wind energy development and geothermal expansion
- Advocated for maintaining nuclear power as part of California's transition strategy
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