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Latest news on Eleni Kounalakis, California's Lt. Governor, providing comprehensive coverage of her 2026 gubernatorial campaign, political career, and key policies as the state's first elected female lieutenant governor.

Eleni Kounalakis, a Democrat, has served as the 50th Lieutenant Governor of California since 2019. She made history as the first woman elected to this position and previously served as the U.S. Ambassador to Hungary from 2010 to 2013 under President Barack Obama.

On April 24, 2023, Kounalakis announced her candidacy for Governor of California in the 2026 election, becoming the first major candidate to enter the race. As lieutenant governor, she has focused on issues such as higher education, environmental protection, and economic development. However, her vote against a proposed 545-bed student housing project at UCLA amid California's housing crisis has drawn criticism.

Kounalakis, who is of Greek descent, has strong ties to the Greek-American community. She and her husband, Markos Kounalakis, have established university chairs in Hellenic studies at Georgetown University and Stanford University to promote understanding of Athenian democracy. They also founded a lecture series at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars focusing on democracy and international relations.

Prior to her political career, Kounalakis worked in her family's real estate development business, AKT Development Corporation, serving as its president. She has been actively involved in Democratic politics, serving as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention four times and as a member of various state commissions and boards.

As the 2026 gubernatorial race heats up, our Â鶹´«Ã½ feed will provide comprehensive, up-to-date coverage of Eleni Kounalakis' campaign, her policy positions, and the key issues shaping California's political landscape. Stay informed about this historic candidacy and its potential impact on the state's future.