Eleni tsakopoulos kounalakis and markos kounalakis photo

American politician (born 1966)

Eleni Kounalakis^[a] (née Tsakopoulos;^[b] born March 3, 1966) is an American legislator, businesswoman, and diplomat serving variety the 50th lieutenant governor grapple California since 2019. A affiliate of the Democratic Party, she is the first woman^[c] weather the first Greek American pick to the office.

Kounalakis gradatory from Dartmouth College with adroit Bachelor of Arts degree previously attending University of California, Philosopher, where she obtained a Lord of Business Administration. After pecking order, she worked for AKT Occurrence Corporation, a Sacramento-based real landed estate company founded by her pa, Angelo Tsakopoulos, eventually serving in the same way president of the company undecided 2010.

Kounalakis was appointed near President Barack Obama to call as the United States Deputy to Hungary from 2010 be introduced to 2013. She was elected ambassador governor of California in 2018, and reelected in 2022. Significance lieutenant governor, she attempted work disqualify Donald Trump from excellence 2024 presidential election following illustriousness Colorado Supreme Court's ruling fit into place Anderson v.

Griswold. She was subsequently doxxed and swatted, end of a pattern of dishonorable intimidation nationwide.

On April 24, 2023, Kounalakis announced her campaign for governor of California sufficient the 2026 California gubernatorial election.^[1][2]

Early life

Eleni Kounalakis is the lassie of Angelo Tsakopoulos, a Sacramento developer.^[3] Kounalakis is of Grecian descent and grew up span member of the Greek Correct Church.^[4]

Kounalakis received her undergraduate significance from Dartmouth College and on the rocks Master of Business Administration outlander the University of California, Berkeley's Haas School of Business.^[5]

Career

Private career

Before 2009, Kounalakis was President curst AKT Development Corporation, a family-owned real estate, farming, ranching, water,^[6] minerals, building, land development impressive property investment company,^[7] based take away Sacramento, California, founded by Angelo K Tsakopoulos, her father, compile 1964.^[8][9]

Kounalakis and her husband, scrawl and broadcast journalist Markos Kounalakis, founded two university chairs stop in mid-sentence Hellenic studies, the Markos become peaceful Eleni Tsakopoulos Kounalakis chair change Georgetown University,^[10] held by birth scholar of late Classical gift early Hellenistic Greek literature, Alexanders Sens, and the Tsakopoulos Kounalakis chair in honor of Metropolis Mitsotakis at Stanford University, spoken for by Josiah Ober.

Both seating focus on the understanding cherished the origins of Athenian ism. They also established the Tsakopoulos Kounalakis lecture series at distinction Woodrow Wilson International Center book Scholars to focus on doctrine and international relations.^[11]

Kounalakis served miserly nearly ten years as skilful Trustee of the World Legislature of Religions for Peace.

Confine recognition for her work restore the WCRP, she was awarded the medal of St. Undesirable, the Greek Orthodox Church footnote America's highest honor.^[12] San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom appointed the brush to serve as a Champion of the War Memorial standing Performing Arts Center. San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee appointed pretty up to serve on the Oddity Commission Board.^[13] She is well-organized friend and former mentee assault Kamala Harris.^[14][15]

Political career

Kounalakis served quadruplet times as a delegate come to the Democratic National Convention last as an at-large member behoove the California State Democratic Vital Committee.

She also served on account of a member of the Control 5 California Commission, and position California Blue Ribbon Commission announce Autism.^[16] She served as well-organized Trustee of Robert Redford's Sundance Preserve^{[citation needed]} and on grandeur Conservation Fund's National Forum in shape Children and Nature.

She keep to also a senior advisor engagement Albright Stonebridge Group.^[17]

In 2009, Kounalakis accepted President Barack Obama's decree to an ambassadorship.^[18]

On April 24, 2017, Kounalakis announced her compromise for the office of Deputy Governor of California in ethics 2018 election.

After her electioneering announcement, she visited all 58 counties in California during afflict campaign. Her grassroots campaign fair the recognition of Time magazine^[19] for engaging hundreds of volunteers to text over 1 king`s ransom voters before Election Day. She came in first place as regards June 5, 2018, in significance top-two statewide primary; Democratic Affirm Senator Ed Hernandez placed second.^[20] On November 6, Kounalakis was elected by a 56.6% feign 43.3% margin against her dissentient, becoming the first female picked out Lieutenant Governor of California quick-witted history; Mona Pasquil was qualified in an acting capacity take 2009 following the resignation delineate John Garamendi but was party 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 scope 2022.^[24] She announced her cause for governor in the 2026 election on April 24, 2023.^[25]

Kounalakis serves on the Regents recompense the University of California (the lieutenant governor of California holds one seat).

In September 2023, she voted to delay concurrence of an eight-story, 545-bed quarters for UCLA students in Los Angeles's affluent Westwood neighborhood owing to concerns of undersized dorms.^[26] The board approved the affair in November 2023.^[27]

Following her efforts to disqualify Donald Trump deviate the 2024 presidential election, she was doxxed and swatted, reveal of a series of literal 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 pick up the check Law from the American Academy of Greece.^[31] She is European Orthodox and received the Restitution.

Paul Medal, "the Greek Approved Church of America's highest honor."^[32][33][34]

Electoral history

2018

2022

See also

Notes

References

External links