Eleni Kounalakis
Eleni Tsakopoulos Kounalakis[a][b] (born March 3, 1966) is an American politician and former diplomat serving as the 50th lieutenant governor of California since 2019. Before becoming lieutenant governor, she served as the United States ambassador to Hungary under Barack Obama from 2010 to 2013.
Eleni Kounalakis | |
|---|---|
 Kounalakis in 2023 | |
| 50th Lieutenant Governor of California | |
| Assumed office January 7, 2019 | |
| Governor | Gavin Newsom |
| Preceded by | Gavin Newsom |
| United States Ambassador to Hungary | |
| In office January 11, 2010 – July 20, 2013 | |
| President | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | April H. Foley |
| Succeeded by | Colleen Bell |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Eleni Tsakopoulos 3 March 1966 (aged 60) Sacramento, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | Angelo Tsakopoulos (father) George Tsakopoulos (uncle) George Demos (brother-in-law) |
| Education | Dartmouth College (BA) University of California, Berkeley (MBA) |
| Signature |  |
In 2018, she was elected lieutenant governor and reelected in 2022. In 2023, Kounalakis announced her candidacy for governor in the 2026 election.[1][2] In 2025, she withdrew from the governor's race and announced her candidacy for state treasurer.[3]
Eleni Kounalakis Media
Kounalakis as U.S. ambassador
References
- ↑ "Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis announces early bid in 2026 California governor's race". Los Angeles Times. 24 April 2023. https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2023-04-24/lt-gov-eleni-kounalakis-2026-governors-race. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
- ↑ "Eleni Kounalakis first to launch campaign for California governor in 2026" (in en). POLITICO. 24 April 2023. https://www.politico.com/news/2023/04/24/eleni-kounalakis-campaign-california-governor-2026-00093381. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
- ↑ Eleni Kounalakis drops out of California governor's race, pivots to downballot campaign. POLITICO (2025-08-08). Retrieved 2025-08-08.
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