Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis Friday announced she was ending her campaign for governor in the 2026 election and will run for treasurer instead.
“After careful consideration and reflection, I have made the decision to end my campaign for governor and to run instead for state treasurer in 2026,” Kounalakis said in a statement.
“This decision was not made lightly. Over the course of my campaign for governor, I have had the opportunity to engage with Californians across the state — listening to their concerns, hopes and ideas for a stronger, more equitable future.
“At this moment, I believe I can make the greatest impact by focusing on California’s financial future. As state treasurer, I will bring a deep commitment to fiscal responsibility, economic opportunity and strategic investment in our state’s priorities from affordable housing and clean energy to infrastructure and education.”
Kounalakis drew 3% in a gubernatorial poll by Emerson College Polling released Friday, tying for sixth with former Secretary of Health and Human Services and state Attorney General Xavier Becerra, one percentage point behind developer Rick Caruso, who has not said if he will run for governor.
Kounalakis, Becerra and Caruso are all Democrats.
Former Rep. Katie Porter, D-Irvine, led with 18%, while former Fox News Channel host Steve Hilton, a Republican, was second with 12%. Undecided drew 38% in the poll of 1,000 registered voters conducted Monday and Tuesday. The margin of error was plus or minus 3%.
The treasurer is the state’s lead asset manager, banker and financier and chairs or serves as a member of numerous state authorities, boards and commissions.
Treasurer Fiona Ma is barred from running for re-election and is instead running for lieutenant governor as Kounalakis is barred by term limits from seeking a third term in the post.
The field to succeed Ma also includes former Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, California State Board of Equalization member Tony Vazquez, a former Santa Monica mayor, and Sen. Anna Caballero, D-Salinas, all Democrats,
A Democrat, Kounalakis in 2018 became the first woman elected as California’s lieutenant governor. She was re-elected in 2022.
Born March 3, 1966, in Sacramento, Kounalakis worked for her family’s Sacramento-based housing development firm, AKT Development, for 18 years, building master-planned communities.
She was the United States ambassador to Hungary from 2010-13 and a virtual fellow with the State Department’s Bureau of Intelligence and Research from 2014-17, specializing in international trade and immigration.
Kounalakis also chaired the California Advisory Council for International Trade and Investment and was a member of California’s First 5 Commission and the California Blue Ribbon Commission on Autism.
–City News Service
Hence then, the article about lt governor kounalakis announces switch for governor s race to treasurer was published today ( ) and is available on Times of San Diego ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Lt. Governor Kounalakis announces switch for governor’s race to treasurer )
Also on site :
- Blessing Muzarabani ditches PSL team, joins KKR for IPL 2026
- Heart attack patients at risk as defibrillator supplies targeted in NHS hack
- Woman Gets on Flight to Dubai, Has Shocking Realization Once She Boards