Kounalakis runs for California treasurer in 2026

California Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis is running for state treasurer in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

The Democrat faces Republican Jennifer Hawks, according to the California Secretary of State’s voter guide. California voters will help choose the official who oversees state investments and administers the sale of state bonds and notes.

The San Rafael Record candidate questionnaire was sent to Eleni Kounalakis’ campaign. No response was received as of Oct. 27, 2026. The policy positions below are drawn from her public campaign website and public records.

Candidate information

Party: Democratic.
Office sought: California treasurer.
Current role: California lieutenant governor.
Education: Dartmouth College, 1989; MBA, University of California, Berkeley, 1992.

Her official biography also lists honorary law doctorates from the American College of Greece and the University of Piraeus.

Kounalakis describes herself as the daughter of a Greek immigrant. Her campaign biography says her father came to the United States as a refugee and worked in agriculture before attending college.

Experience and public service

Kounalakis was sworn in as California lieutenant governor on Jan. 7, 2019, becoming the first woman elected to the office, according to her official biography.

Gov. Gavin Newsom also appointed her California’s representative for international affairs and trade.

She served as U.S. ambassador to Hungary under President Barack Obama from 2010 to 2013. In 2014, Gov. Jerry Brown appointed her to chair the California Advisory Council for International Trade and Investment.

Before entering public service, Kounalakis worked for 18 years at her family’s housing development company, AKT Development, including as president. Her official biography describes her work developing planned communities in the Sacramento region.

On the issues

The following positions come from Kounalakis’ statement in the state voter guide and her campaign website.

Housing: Kounalakis proposes using public financing to increase affordable housing construction. She points to her private-sector experience developing housing and financing infrastructure as preparation for the treasurer’s responsibilities.

Financial security: Kounalakis says she would support investments benefiting children and families and protect public employees’ pensions.

“As Treasurer, I will build more affordable housing through public finance; invest in the financial future of children and families, defend health care and immigrant communities, and protect pensions for hard-working Californians,” she states in the voter guide.

Public finances: Kounalakis says she would manage state finances responsibly and use investments to support economic opportunity. Her campaign emphasizes her experience overseeing public assets and working on education, infrastructure and climate-related investments.