California Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis has officially ended her campaign for governor, announcing on August 8 that she will instead be running for California State Treasurer in 2026. This decision marks a significant change from her earlier stance this year, including a campaign launched as recently as April.
In a direct message to her supporters, the Greek-American politician explained her shift, stating, “After careful consideration and reflection, I have made the decision to run instead for State Treasurer in 2026.” She thanked her supporters for their trust and urged them to “stick with me as I set out on this new, exciting path.”
Kounalakis framed the change as a strategic move to better serve the state, citing her conviction that she can have the greatest impact as Treasurer. She emphasized her “deep commitment to fiscal responsibility, economic opportunity, and strategic investment,” particularly in affordable housing.
“With nearly 20 years experience in the housing sector, I will apply my skills every day to efficiently leverage every dollar at our disposal to increase housing production,” she noted, highlighting how this aligns with the responsibilities of the Treasurer’s office.
The announcement comes a little over a week after former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris announced that she would not be running for California Governor and former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi had shared her support for Kounalakis’ campaign in an interview with CNN.
Greek background of Eleni Kounalakis
Kounalakis, who is of Greek descent, has spoken in the past about the influence of her Greek immigrant background.
“I grew up as the daughter of a Greek immigrant and like many other families, we had humble beginnings. My siblings and I were reminded every day how lucky we were to have the opportunity this country offers,” she said when launching her campaign in April.
Her father, Angelo Tsakopoulos is also a big name in the Greek American community. Before becoming a well-known philanthropist and political donor, he worked as a field laborer and sold melons on the streets during his youth. He even worked as a waiter in the Governor’s Mansion at one point. All this was before transforming his real estate business into a development empire.
Related: Hillary Clinton Endorses Eleni Kounalakis for Governor of California
