Eleni Kounalakis

Eleni Kounalakis, born on March third, nineteen sixty-six, is a prominent American diplomat, politician, and businesswoman. She has made history as the first Greek American and the first woman to serve as the lieutenant governor of California, a position she has held since her election in two thousand eighteen.

A graduate of Dartmouth College with a Bachelor of Arts degree, Kounalakis furthered her education at the University of California, Berkeley, where she earned a Master of Business Administration. Her professional journey began at AKT Development Corporation, a real estate firm founded by her father, Angelo Tsakopoulos, where she eventually became president until two thousand ten.

In two thousand ten, Kounalakis was appointed by President Barack Obama as the United States Ambassador to Hungary, serving until two thousand thirteen. Following her tenure as ambassador, she was elected as California's lieutenant governor and was reelected in two thousand twenty-two. During her time in office, she took a bold stance by attempting to disqualify Donald Trump from the two thousand twenty-four presidential election, an action that led to her facing significant threats and intimidation.

On April twenty-four, two thousand twenty-three, Kounalakis announced her candidacy for the governorship of California in the upcoming two thousand twenty-six election. However, on August eighth, two thousand twenty-five, she decided to withdraw from the gubernatorial race and instead declared her intention to run for state treasurer.