University of California Berkeley Jack Citrin Center for Public Opinion Research/Possibility Lab/TrueDot
10%8%6%4%2%0%
7%
California Governor winner?
$34.7M
NOV 4, 2026
General Election
Voters choose the office holder.
Overview
Current roleLieutenant Governor
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
Age60 years old (Mar 3, 1966)
GenderFemale
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LocationCalifornia
BackgroundPolitician
EducationDartmouth College (BA, 1989)
Notable personal detailsEleni Kounalakis is an American politician, businesswoman, and former diplomat who has served as the 50th Lieutenant Governor of California since 2019. She previously served as U.S. Ambassador to Hungary from 2010 to 2013. Before public office, she worked for AKT Development, a housing development firm, and later served as its president. She earned a BA from Dartmouth College and an MBA from UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business.
SourcesShowHide
ltg.ca.goven.wikipedia.orgeleniforca.compt.wikipedia.orges.wikipedia.orgde.wikipedia.orgfr.wikipedia.orgsenate.ca.govzh.wikipedia.orgcbsnews.comnewsroom.haas.berkeley.educommons.wikimedia.orgengineering.ucmerced.educarnegieendowment.orgwomenscaucus.legislature.ca.govelections.calmatters.orgkqed.orgdocs.voteinfo.netelections.cdn.sos.ca.govagapw.orglowell74.orgarxiv.orgcalmatters.orgeleni-kounalakis.squarespace.compolitico.comgov.ca.govabcnews.go.comemilyslist.orgeqca.orgprogressivevotersguide.comlatimes.comsfchronicle.comapnews.comaxios.comstatic.votesmart.orgcongress.govballotready.orgwikidata.orggovinfo.govdocs.house.govkiley.house.govnga.orgjustfacts.votesmart.orgcarbajal.house.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
No clear, direct public position on specific tax-rate changes or comprehensive tax reform is found in available official statements. Public materials emphasize fiscal responsibility, support for state investments in workforce development, relief for small businesses and affordable education, and a pledge to use a blind trust for personal holdings if elected to higher office. These statements show support for targeted public spending and fiscal stewardship but do not specify whether she favors tax increases or cuts on particular groups or rates.
Healthcare
Supports universal healthcare and places a single-payer/Medicare for All solution at the center of proposals for expanding coverage; endorses protecting and expanding Medi‑Cal access and preparing California to pursue a state-level universal plan if a federal solution is not adopted.
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Immigration & Border
The candidate supports protecting immigrant communities, defending DACA recipients, and creating legal pathways to citizenship for specific groups such as farmworkers. She criticizes large-scale enforcement actions (ICE raids) and frames immigrants as vital to California’s economy and communities. Her public statements emphasize defending immigrants’ rights while promoting integration and economic contributions.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports protecting and expanding access to abortion and reproductive healthcare, sponsored and co-sponsored measures to enshrine abortion and contraception rights in the California Constitution, and has defended access to abortion medication and providers. Has publicly called for California to lead efforts to safeguard reproductive rights after the overturning of Roe v. Wade and opposed challenges to mifepristone access.
Climate & Energy
Eleni Kounalakis has led and supported aggressive clean-energy initiatives as Lieutenant Governor, including advancing offshore wind development, decommissioning legacy oil infrastructure, and endorsing a transition to 100% renewable energy by 2045. She has represented California at international climate forums and promoted policies to reduce carbon emissions and invest in clean-technology deployment and climate resilience.
Public Safety & Guns
The candidate supports stronger federal and state gun safety measures and has publicly praised proposals to end gun violence through nationwide gun-safety reforms. She has called for federal gun control and endorsed California efforts to pursue constitutional and statutory changes to reduce gun violence.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedMay 20, 2026
Eleni Kounalakis is in the news as one of the leading candidates in California’s crowded 2026 governor’s race. The campaign is now moving into the June 2 primary, with mail ballots going out and candidates debating in Los Angeles ahead of the vote. Recent coverage says the race is still unsettled, with no clear Democratic frontrunner and concern that Republicans could finish in the top two.
ltg.ca.gov+43
Articles
SASanta Ana Orange County Register14 days ago
Here’s how to watch tonight’s governor’s debate
Neutral
VCVentura County Star2 months ago
What to know about newly certified California governor ballot lineup
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VCVentura County Star2 months ago
California governor race gears up with March debate. How to watch
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TAThe Atlanta Journal-Constitution2 months ago
A messy California governor's race raises Democratic fears of potential loss
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Polls
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
California Governor winner?
Endorsers of Eleni Kounalakis for California Governor winner?
San Francisco Chronicle editorial board
Elected official
San Francisco Chronicle editorial board endorsed Eleni Kounalakis for lieutenant governor in 2022.
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Fundraising