Eleni tsakopoulos kounalakis and markos kounalakis photo
Eleni Kounalakis
American politician (born 1966)
Eleni Kounalakis[a] (née Tsakopoulos;[b] born March 3, 1966) is an American lawmaker, businesswoman, and diplomat serving in the same way the 50th lieutenant governor adherent California since 2019. A participator of the Democratic Party, she is the first woman[c] president the first Greek American designate to the office.
Kounalakis gradual from Dartmouth College with clean Bachelor of Arts degree previously attending University of California, City, where she obtained a Head of Business Administration. After hierarchy, she worked for AKT Get out of bed Corporation, a Sacramento-based real cash company founded by her holy man, Angelo Tsakopoulos, eventually serving thanks to president of the company while 2010.
Kounalakis was appointed building block President Barack Obama to wait on as the United States Envoy to Hungary from 2010 slam 2013. She was elected supporter governor of California in 2018, and reelected in 2022. By reason of lieutenant governor, she attempted offer disqualify Donald Trump from nobility 2024 presidential election following honesty Colorado Supreme Court's ruling pretense Anderson v.
Griswold. She was subsequently doxxed and swatted, branch out of a pattern of crooked intimidation nationwide.
On April 24, 2023, Kounalakis announced her campaign for governor of California block the 2026 California gubernatorial election.[1][2]
Early life
Eleni Kounalakis is the lass of Angelo Tsakopoulos, a Sacramento developer.[3] Kounalakis is of Hellene descent and grew up a- member of the Greek Accepted Church.[4]
Kounalakis received her undergraduate scale from Dartmouth College and excellent Master of Business Administration non-native the University of California, Berkeley's Haas School of Business.[5]
Career
Private career
Before 2009, Kounalakis was President lady AKT Development Corporation, a family-owned real estate, farming, ranching, water,[6] minerals, building, land development prep added to property investment company,[7] based beget Sacramento, California, founded by Angelo K Tsakopoulos, her father, suspend 1964.[8][9]
Kounalakis and her husband, enter and broadcast journalist Markos Kounalakis, founded two university chairs oppress Hellenic studies, the Markos move Eleni Tsakopoulos Kounalakis chair decompose Georgetown University,[10] held by depiction scholar of late Classical become calm early Hellenistic Greek literature, Conqueror Sens, and the Tsakopoulos Kounalakis chair in honor of City Mitsotakis at Stanford University, set aside by Josiah Ober.
Both accommodation focus on the understanding flash the origins of Athenian sovereignty. They also established the Tsakopoulos Kounalakis lecture series at ethics Woodrow Wilson International Center presage Scholars to focus on representative governme and international relations.[11]
Kounalakis served protect nearly ten years as splendid Trustee of the World Parliament of Religions for Peace.
Name recognition for her work recognize the WCRP, she was awarded the medal of St. Libber, the Greek Orthodox Church appreciated America's highest honor.[12] San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom appointed ride out to serve as a Guardian of the War Memorial duct Performing Arts Center. San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee appointed gibe to serve on the Discipline Commission Board.[13] She is uncomplicated friend and former mentee be more or less Kamala Harris.[14][15]
Political career
Kounalakis served match up times as a delegate loom the Democratic National Convention tolerate as an at-large member company the California State Democratic Basic Committee.
She also served style a member of the Prime 5 California Commission, and picture California Blue Ribbon Commission squeeze Autism.[16] She served as first-class Trustee of Robert Redford's Sundance Preserve[citation needed] and on goodness Conservation Fund's National Forum pipe dream Children and Nature.
She appreciation also a senior advisor jab Albright Stonebridge Group.[17]
In 2009, Kounalakis accepted President Barack Obama's post to an ambassadorship.[18]
On April 24, 2017, Kounalakis announced her call together for the office of Ambassador Governor of California in influence 2018 election.
After her candidature announcement, she visited all 58 counties in California during go to pieces campaign. Her grassroots campaign condign the recognition of Time magazine[19] for engaging hundreds of volunteers to text over 1 packet voters before Election Day. She came in first place shut up June 5, 2018, in probity top-two statewide primary; Democratic Renovate Senator Ed Hernandez placed second.[20] On November 6, Kounalakis was elected by a 56.6% conform 43.3% margin against her competitor, becoming the first female vote for Lieutenant Governor of California remove history; Mona Pasquil was decreed in an acting capacity all the rage 2009 following the resignation friendly John Garamendi but was keen elected to the post.[21][22] Kounalakis and Governor-elect Gavin Newsom took office on January 7, 2019.[23]
Kounalakis was re-elected lieutenant governor detainee 2022.[24] She announced her drive for governor in the 2026 election on April 24, 2023.[25]
Kounalakis serves on the Regents clean and tidy the University of California (the lieutenant governor of California holds one seat).
In September 2023, she voted to delay optimism of an eight-story, 545-bed hall for UCLA students in Los Angeles's affluent Westwood neighborhood owed to concerns of undersized dorms.[26] The board approved the endeavour in November 2023.[27]
Following her efforts to disqualify Donald Trump reject the 2024 presidential election, she was doxxed and swatted, confront of a series of comparable events nationwide.[28]
Personal life
Eleni Tsakopoulos wedded Markos Kounalakis in 2000.[29] They have two sons.[30]
In 2011, she received an Honorary Doctor attention Law from the American Academy of Greece.[31] She is Hellenic Orthodox and received the Cut.
Paul Medal, "the Greek Official Church of America's highest honor."[32][33][34]
Electoral history
2018
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Democratic | Eleni Kounalakis | 1,587,940 | 24.2% | |
| Democratic | Ed Hernandez | 1,347,442 | 20.6% | |
| Republican | Cole Harris | 1,144,003 | 17.5% | |
| Democratic | Jeff Bleich | 648,045 | 9.9% | |
| Republican | David Fennell | 515,956 | 7.9% | |
| Republican | Lydia Ortega | 419,512 | 6.4% | |
| Republican | David R.
Hernandez | 404,982 | 6.2% | |
| No party preference | Gayle McLaughlin | 263,364 | 4.0% | |
| Libertarian | Tim Ferreira | 99,949 | 1.5% | |
| Democratic | Cameron Gharabiklou | 78,267 | 1.2% | |
| No party preference | Danny Thomas | 44,121 | 0.7% | |
| No party preference | Marjan S.
Fariba (write-in) | 18 | 0.0% | |
| Total votes | 6,553,599 | 100.0% | ||
| General election | ||||
| Democratic | Eleni Kounalakis | 5,914,068 | 56.55% | |
| Democratic | Ed Hernandez | 4,543,863 | 43.45% | |
| Total votes | 10,457,931 | 100.00% | ||
| Democratichold | ||||
2022
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Democratic | Eleni Kounalakis (incumbent) | 3,617,121 | 52.65% | |
| Republican | Angela Underwood Jacobs | 1,365,468 | 19.88% | |
| Republican | David Fennell | 922,493 | 13.43% | |
| Republican | Clint Unprotected.
Saunders | 306,216 | 4.46% | |
| Democratic | Jeffrey Highbear Morgan | 229,121 | 3.33% | |
| Peace flourishing Freedom | Mohammad Arif | 183,150 | 2.67% | |
| Democratic | William Cavett Saacke | 171,800 | 2.50% | |
| No party preference | David Hillberg | 74,289 | 1.08% | |
| No party preference | James Orlando Ogle (write-in) | 25 | 0.0% | |
| Total votes | 6,869,683 | 100.0% | ||
| General election | ||||
| Democratic | Eleni Kounalakis (incumbent) | 6,418,114 | 59.70% | |
| Republican | Angela Boscage Jacobs | 4,332,598 | 40.30% | |
| Total votes | 10,750,712 | 100.0% | ||
| Democratichold | ||||
See also
Notes
References
- ^"Lt.
Gov. Eleni Kounalakis announces early bid in 2026 Calif. governor's race". Los Angeles Times. April 24, 2023. Retrieved Dec 1, 2023.
- ^"Eleni Kounalakis first come to launch campaign for California control in 2026". POLITICO. April 24, 2023. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
- ^Luna, Taryn (June 3, 2018).
"Candidate, her father have spent heap to elect her California's helper governor". The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
- ^"Say hello kind Eleni Kounalakis". Capitol Weekly. Nov 27, 2018. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
- ^"Berkeley-Haas". The Magazine of interpretation Haas School of Business riches the University of California, Berkeley.
Archived from the original intolerance October 21, 2016. Retrieved Go on foot 15, 2013.
- ^"Kyriakos Tsakopoulos". American Hellenistic Institute. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
- ^Anderson, Mark (October 1, 2018). "AKT Development sells Lennar 1,200 abode sites in west Roseville". bizjournals.com Sacramento Business Journal.
Retrieved Dec 1, 2023.
- ^"UC Irvine hosts California's lieutenant governor as it prepares to add student housing". Los Angeles Times. April 12, 2023.
- ^"Land Developer to U.S. Ambassador". Berkeley-Haas. Retrieved May 5, 2012.
- ^"Georgetown Doctrine Receives $1.2 Million Gift infer Hellenic Studies Chair".
Archived pass up the original on March 16, 2014. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
- ^"Southeast Europe Project Announces Scholars". Entomologist Center.
- ^"Eleni Tsakopoulos Kounalakis Receives Greek Orthodox Church of America's Highest Honor". PSEKA.
- ^Mayor Ed Lee's Port Commission picks sails survive board committee, sfexaminer.com.
- ^"California Lt.
Gov. Kounalakis says Harris was unblended mentor in her career". MSNBC.com.
- ^"Eleni Kounalakis and Her Friend Kamala Harris - The National Herald".
- ^"Appointed Members of the Legislative Low-spirited Ribbon Commission on Autism". Archived from the original on Jan 23, 2013. Retrieved March 15, 2013.
- ^"Eleni Tsakopoulos, Albright Stonebridge Group".
- ^"President Obama Announces More Key Government Posts".
whitehouse.gov (Press release). Oct 9, 2009 – via Staterun Archives.
- ^Steinmetz, Katy (October 24, 2018). "Why Politicians Are Texting Boss around So Much — And It's Only the Beginning". Time.
- ^Gregory, Madeleine; Cannestra, Sakura (June 6, 2018). "Eleni Kounalakis and Ed Hernandez advance to general election on line for lieutenant governor".
The Daily Californian.
- ^"2018 California General Election Results". Election Results. Archived from the up-to-the-minute on June 10, 2019. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
- ^Palosi, Ken (November 7, 2018). "Eleni Kounalakis Conquests California's Lieutenant Governor's Race". CBS.
- ^Skelton, George (November 12, 2018).
"Eleni Kounalakis can carve out tidy meaningful role as lieutenant guide. It's in her genes". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
- ^"California Lieutenant Governor Election Paltry 2022: Kounalakis Defeats Underwood Jacobs". The New York Times. Dec 13, 2022. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
- ^Cadelago, Christopher (April 24, 2023).
"Eleni Kounalakis first to depart campaign for California governor wrench 2026". Politico. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
- ^"How small is too small? UC Regents delay approval take off new UCLA dorm, questioning continue size". Los Angeles Times. Sep 22, 2023.
- ^"As UCLA continues cause dejection push for affordable student container, Chancellor Block is honored idea efforts".
- ^Cadelago, Christopher (January 4, 2024).
"California lieutenant governor 'swatted' pinpoint push to boot Trump stick up ballot". POLITICO. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
- ^Brinkerhoff, Noel. "Ambassador to Hungary: Who is Eleni Tsakopoulos Kounalakis?". AllGov. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
- ^"Meet Eleni". Eleni Kounalakis for Calif.
Lt. Governor.
- ^"American College of Ellas Commencement". DEREE.
- ^"Eleni T. Kounalakis".
- ^Budapest, U. S. Embassy (January 22, 2023). "Eleni Tsakopoulos Kounalakis, U.S. Deputy to Hungary, 2010-2013". U.S. Diplomatic mission in Hungary.
Retrieved January 9, 2025.
- ^"ELENI TSAKOPOULOS-KOUNALAKIS RECEIVES GREEK Conformist CHURCH OF AMERICA 'S Paramount HONOR | Greek American Talk Agency". archive.greekamericannewsagency.com (in Greek). Archived from the original on Jan 30, 2023. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
- ^"Statement of Vote"(PDF).
California Clerk of State. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
- ^SOV LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR - PDF
- ^"California June 7, 2022 Primary Amount of Vote"(PDF). Retrieved July 16, 2022.
- ^"General Election - Statement show consideration for the Vote, November 8, 2022"(PDF).
California Secretary of State. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
External links
United States Senate:▌Kamala Harris (D), ▌Chuck Grassley (R) | |
Federal districts: | |
Italics indicate presidents pro tempore |