Eleni Kounalakis

Politics

Kounalakis becomes latest Democrat to drop run for governor

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.

By

Alexei Koseff

• August 8, 2025

Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis at the State of the State ceremony on March 8, 2022. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

Politics

California’s lieutenant governor leases offices to the state. What if she’s elected governor?

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.

By

Alexei Koseff

• April 11, 2025

A speaker gestures while standing at a podium labeled “CADEM California Democratic Party” during an event. A large screen behind him shows a mirrored projection of the stage with American and California flags in the background.

Politics

Xavier Becerra jumps into crowded race for California governor

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

By

Alexei Koseff

• April 2, 2025

Four people stand on a stage behind individual podiums, each looking towards their right in front of an audience at a governor candidate forum. Blue, red and gray lights illuminate the stage curtains the background.

Commentary

Let the games begin: 2026 campaign for California governor now looms

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.

By

Dan Walters

• November 14, 2024

Four people stand on a stage behind individual podiums, each of them holding one hand up in the air in front of an audience at a governor candidate forum. Blue, red and gray lights illuminate the stage curtains the background.

Politics

Candidates for California governor mostly agree as they face off two years before the election

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.

By

Alexei Koseff

• September 29, 2024

Mold can be seen on the exterior of the building at Grove Condominiums on April 18, 2023 in Imperial Beach. Photo by Ariana Drehsler for CalMatters

Commentary

Private equity giants worsen California’s housing crisis. Why are we giving them public dollars?

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.

By Liz Perlman • March 4, 2024

State Senate leader Toni Atkins kicked off her gubernatorial campaign with an event in San Diego on Jan. 19, 2024. Photo by Bryan Giardinelli, Breathe New Winds

Politics

California picks its next governor in more than 1,000 days. Why the race is already so crowded

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.

By

Alexei Koseff

• January 19, 2024

Commentary

Until recently, lieutenant governors rarely ascended to the California governor’s seat

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.

By

Guest Commentary

• July 28, 2023

Politics

What would Eleni Kounalakis do next as California lieutenant governor?

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.

By

Alexei Koseff

• September 22, 2022

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signs a number of climate-related bills surrounded by state legislators at a press conference at the USDA Forest Service Regional Office on Mare Island in Vallejo on Sept. 16, 2022. Photo by Martin do Nascimento, CalMatters

WhatMatters

Newsom’s California economic forecast: veto message edition

Loyal readers of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s veto messages may have noticed a new theme popping up lately. Newsom, again and again: “With our state facing lower-than-expected revenues over the first few months of this fiscal year, it is important to remain disciplined.” Bills to boost health insurance subsidies, exempt manufacturers from certain sales taxes, help […]

By

Ben Christopher

• September 20, 2022