Eleni Kounalakis

California's treasurer manages bonds, pensions, and billions in cash. These are the six people vying for the job.

Kounalakis was trailing in polling and fundraising in a crowded field of Democrats seeking to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom when he is termed out next year.

Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis told CalMatters she will address potential conflicts of interest with her extensive property investments by establishing a blind trust if she is elected governor of California next year.

The former California attorney general noted that he had experience fighting Trump after suing his first administration more than 100 times.

The next political cycle begins with no clear frontrunners for California governor. There are at least a dozen potential candidates, plus one huge unknown factor: Vice President Kamala Harris’s career plans after losing her presidential bid.

Four Democrats running for governor in 2026 answer questions before the National Union of Healthcare Workers, even before California voters have their November 2024 ballots. Tony Thurmond won a non-binding straw poll.

University of California leaders invest billions of dollars in private equity giants that worsen housing affordability, directly impacting workers and students. If elected officials say they really want to confront the housing crisis, they should spend these public dollars on solutions instead.

More than two years until the first votes are cast, Senate leader Toni Atkins becomes the fourth big-name Democrat to jump into the governor's race. She is seeking to become the first female and openly gay chief executive.

In California's 173-year history, only three sitting lieutenant governors have been elected governor. The first time was in 1922. The second was 76 years later.

In a 50-minute interview with CalMatters, Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis talks about what she can and can't do in the job on higher education, income inequality, offshore oil drilling and other issues. She also discusses her political ambitions.