SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis is seeking a big promotion.
Kounalakis, who has been the state's lieutenant governor since 2019, announced Monday morning she's starting a campaign for governor in the 2026 election.
Kounalakis announced her candidacy in a Facebook post, saying: "I will fight fiercely to build a future where everyone — regardless of race, class, or immigration status — has the same opportunity that my family and I had."
Kounalakis is a Democrat and Governor Gavin Newsom will be termed out when his current term ends in 2026.
"It's nowhere near 2026, but Eleni Kounalaki, by putting her name first is going to be at the front of that conversation in every article written about the governor's race for the next three years now," said UC San Diego political Science Professor Thad Kousser.
Kouser and political analyst Steve Swatt believe this is to her advantage because even though she won a statewide election, her name recognition is low.
"I think most Californians would be hard pressed to name an official function of the lieutenant governor other than being on standby in case the governor's office should become vacant," said Swatt. "So it does make sense for her to start a campaign early."
Kounalakis also served as U.S. ambassador to Hungary during the Obama administration.
The campaigning starts today, and Kounalakis has strong financial support. Kounalakis is the daughter of a Greek immigrant. Her father now owns a very successful development company.
“Her father has been a major donor who supported gubernatorial campaigns and other major races in California, and so she will have some family ability to draw on," said Kousser.
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