Eleni Kounalakis

Eleni Kounalakis
Born	Eleni Tsakopoulos 3 3, 1966
Birthplace	Sacramento, California, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, businesswoman, diplomat
Known for	First woman elected Lieutenant Governor of California
Education	University of California, Berkeley (MBA)
Children	2
Website	[ltg.ca.gov Official site]

Eleni Kounalakis (née Tsakopoulos; born March 3, 1966) is an American politician, businesswoman, and diplomat serving as the 50th lieutenant governor of California since January 2019. A member of the Democratic Party, she made history as the first woman and the first Greek American elected to the office. Before entering politics, Kounalakis built a career in real estate development as president of AKT Development Corporation, a Sacramento-based firm founded by her father, Angelo Tsakopoulos. She served in that role until 2010, when President Barack Obama appointed her as the United States Ambassador to Hungary, a position she held until 2013. Following her tenure as ambassador, Kounalakis remained active in public policy and international affairs before winning election as lieutenant governor in 2018 and securing reelection in 2022. In April 2023, she announced her candidacy for governor of California in the 2026 election, but in August 2025 she withdrew from the gubernatorial race and announced a campaign for state treasurer instead.

Early Life

Eleni Tsakopoulos was born on March 3, 1966, in Sacramento, California. She is the daughter of Angelo Tsakopoulos, a prominent Sacramento real estate developer who immigrated to the United States from Greece. Her uncle, George Tsakopoulos, is also involved in the family's real estate enterprises. The Tsakopoulos family became one of the most prominent Greek American families in California's capital region, with significant holdings in land development throughout the Sacramento metropolitan area.

Growing up in Sacramento, Kounalakis was raised in a family with strong ties to both Greek heritage and California civic life. Her father's success in real estate development—particularly in the conversion of agricultural land into residential communities—made the Tsakopoulos name well known in Sacramento's business and political circles. These dual influences of Greek American identity and California real estate would shape much of Kounalakis's subsequent career, first in business and later in public service.

Her brother-in-law is George Demos, a political figure who has sought office in New York. The family's engagement in politics and public affairs extended across multiple generations and branches, establishing a pattern of civic involvement that Kounalakis would continue in her own career.

Education

Kounalakis attended Dartmouth College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. She subsequently enrolled at the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley, where she obtained a Master of Business Administration. Her time at Berkeley's Haas School of Business provided her with the business credentials that she would apply during her years leading AKT Development Corporation. In a profile published by the Haas alumni network, Kounalakis described her educational journey as formative in preparing her for both the private sector and public service, noting the transition from real estate development to diplomacy as a "path-bending journey."

Career

Real Estate Development

After completing her MBA at UC Berkeley, Kounalakis joined AKT Development Corporation, the Sacramento-based real estate company founded by her father, Angelo Tsakopoulos. The company was involved in large-scale residential and commercial development projects throughout the Sacramento region. Kounalakis rose through the company to become its president, a position she held until 2010.

During her tenure at AKT Development, Kounalakis oversaw the company's operations at a time when Sacramento was experiencing significant growth and urban expansion. The firm was involved in land development projects that transformed substantial tracts of land in and around the Sacramento metropolitan area. Her work in real estate development gave her experience in managing large-scale business operations, navigating regulatory environments, and engaging with local government on land-use issues.

The family's real estate holdings remained a subject of public interest throughout Kounalakis's political career. In April 2025, while still a candidate for governor, Kounalakis announced that she would commit to placing her property interests in a blind trust if elected, responding to questions about potential conflicts of interest stemming from the family's extensive real estate portfolio.

United States Ambassador to Hungary

In 2010, President Barack Obama appointed Kounalakis as the United States Ambassador to Hungary. She presented her credentials and began serving on January 11, 2010, succeeding April H. Foley in the post. Kounalakis served as ambassador until July 20, 2013, and was succeeded by Colleen Bell.

As ambassador, Kounalakis represented the United States in Hungary during a period of significant political change in that country, as Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his Fidesz party consolidated power following their landslide victory in the 2010 Hungarian parliamentary elections. Her tenure coincided with international concerns about democratic backsliding in Hungary, including controversies over a new Hungarian constitution adopted in 2011 and changes to media laws.

Kounalakis's appointment as ambassador was consistent with a tradition of presidents appointing major political donors and supporters to ambassadorial posts. Her family had been significant supporters of Democratic Party causes and candidates. During her time in Budapest, she engaged with Hungarian civil society, promoted U.S.-Hungary bilateral relations, and represented American interests in the broader Central European context.

Prior to her ambassadorial appointment, Kounalakis was selected as a scholar by the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars as part of the Southeast Europe Project in 2009, reflecting her interest in the region's political dynamics.

After concluding her service as ambassador, Kounalakis joined the Albright Stonebridge Group, a global strategy firm founded by former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, where she worked on international advisory matters.

Following her return to California, Kounalakis also served on the Port Commission of the City and County of San Francisco, having been appointed by Mayor Ed Lee. She also served as a member of California's Senate Select Committee on Autism and Related Disorders in an advisory capacity.

Lieutenant Governor of California

2018 Election

Kounalakis entered the race for lieutenant governor of California in 2018. In the June primary election, under California's top-two primary system, Kounalakis and State Senator Ed Hernandez advanced to the general election as the top two vote-getters. In the November 2018 general election, Kounalakis defeated Hernandez to become the 50th lieutenant governor of California.

Her election was historic on multiple counts: she became the first woman elected lieutenant governor in California's history and the first Greek American to hold the office. Political columnist George Skelton of the Los Angeles Times profiled Kounalakis following her victory, noting the significance of her election in the context of California politics.

Tenure

Kounalakis took office on January 7, 2019, succeeding Gavin Newsom, who had been elected governor. She was reelected in 2022, continuing in the role under Governor Newsom.

As lieutenant governor, Kounalakis serves as president of the California State Senate, a member of the University of California Board of Regents and the California State University Board of Trustees, and chair of the California Commission for Economic Development. In the absence of the governor from the state, the lieutenant governor serves as acting governor, a responsibility Kounalakis has exercised on multiple occasions.

In 2025, Kounalakis served as acting governor on several occasions when Governor Newsom traveled outside of California. In these instances, she issued a series of proclamations, including declaring July 2025 as Disability Pride Month, proclaiming September 1, 2025 as Labor Day, declaring September 2025 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and proclaiming California Library Week in April 2025.

Trump Ballot Disqualification Effort

In late 2023 and early 2024, following the Colorado Supreme Court's ruling in Anderson v. Griswold that Donald Trump was disqualified from the presidential ballot under Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment, Kounalakis attempted to pursue a similar effort in California to disqualify Trump from the 2024 presidential election ballot. The effort drew significant national attention and placed Kounalakis at the center of a contentious legal and political debate about the scope of the Fourteenth Amendment's disqualification clause.

As a result of her actions, Kounalakis was subjected to doxxing and swatting, part of a broader pattern of criminal intimidation targeting public officials nationwide who were involved in efforts related to Trump's ballot eligibility.

2026 Gubernatorial and Treasurer Campaigns

On April 24, 2023, Kounalakis announced her candidacy for governor of California in the 2026 gubernatorial election, seeking to succeed Governor Newsom, who is term-limited. Her candidacy entered a crowded Democratic primary field.

During the campaign, questions arose about potential conflicts of interest related to the Tsakopoulos family's extensive real estate holdings. In April 2025, Kounalakis announced that she would place her property interests in a blind trust if elected governor, seeking to address those concerns.

On August 8, 2025, Kounalakis withdrew from the governor's race and announced that she would instead run for California state treasurer in the 2026 election. In announcing the pivot, she stated that serving as state treasurer would allow her to focus on fiscal responsibility and economic opportunity. Politico reported that her exit from the gubernatorial contest came amid a crowded field of candidates.

Personal Life

Kounalakis was born Eleni Tsakopoulos and later took the surname Kounalakis upon marriage. She has two children. Her father, Angelo Tsakopoulos, is a Greek-born real estate developer who founded AKT Development Corporation and became one of the most prominent landowners in the Sacramento region. Her uncle is George Tsakopoulos, who is also involved in the family's business enterprises. Her brother-in-law is George Demos, who ran for Congress in New York.

Kounalakis has maintained close ties to the Greek American community throughout her career. She delivered the commencement address at the American College of Greece, reflecting her ongoing engagement with Greek cultural and educational institutions. Her Greek heritage was noted in her political campaigns and in coverage of her appointment as ambassador to Hungary, with Greek American organizations highlighting her selection.

Recognition

Kounalakis's election as lieutenant governor of California in 2018 was recognized as a historic milestone, as she became both the first woman and the first Greek American to hold the office. Her election was covered extensively in both California and national media, and was noted by Los Angeles Times columnist George Skelton as significant in the context of the state's political history.

Her appointment as U.S. Ambassador to Hungary by President Obama in 2010 was noted by Greek American advocacy organizations and media outlets, who highlighted her as one of the most prominent Greek Americans in diplomatic service.

Kounalakis was selected as a scholar by the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in 2009 as part of the Southeast Europe Project, prior to her ambassadorial appointment. She was also featured in a public affairs event at Georgetown University related to international policy.

Her commencement address at the American College of Greece further reflected her recognition within the Greek American and Greek international communities.