Eleni Kounalakis
- Lt. Govenor: 2019-present
Bio
Eleni Kounalakis, 60, is a former U.S. ambassador and real estate developer. Kounalakis is the daughter of the Sacramento real estate developer Angelo Tsakopolous, and she worked for the company he founded, AKT Development Corporation, for nearly two decades. Then-President Barack Obama appointed her ambassador to Hungary in 2010. Her husband is foreign affairs scholar and writer Markos Kounalakis. She briefly joined a crowded field of Democrats running for governor to replace Gavin Newsom, but she dropped out. She and her husband have two children.
Job Description
The lieutenant governor serves as acting governor when the governor is out of state and would become governor if the office became vacant. Lieutenant governors are ceremonial presidents of the state Senate and can vote to break a tie, which has only happened three times since 1976. The lieutenant governor sits on numerous governing boards and commissions. The office has 15 employees and a budget of $2.8 million.
Influence
There are three categories of donations after they are elected that encourage a working relationship between the donor and the official. The three categories are: 1-Gifts, 2-Travel, 3-Behests.
|
Giver
|
Value
|
Date
|
Description
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Salesforce, Inc. | $590 | Nov 16, 2023 | Food, beverages |
| California Diplomacy Foundation | $590 | Mar 12, 2023 | Food, beverages, travel |
| Mayor of Kobe, Japan | $350 | Mar 16, 2023 | Sake |
| Rendon for Assembly 2022 | $135.98 | Jan 4, 2023 | Food, beverages |
Gifts
Officials are not allowed to accept gifts of more than $10 per month from registered lobbyists. Gifts from any other single source are limited to $590 in a calendar year.
|
Giver
|
Value
|
Date
|
Description
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Hillary Clinton LIVE / Broadway SF | $300 | Oct 7, 2024 | Tickets to book tour |
| Consulate General of Canada | $252 | Apr 16, 2024 | Dinner |
| Robert Rivas for Assembly 2024 | $87.12 | Jan 3, 2024 | Food and drink |
Gifts
Officials are not allowed to accept gifts of more than $10 per month from registered lobbyists. Gifts from any other single source are limited to $590 in a calendar year.
|
Giver
|
Value
|
Date
|
Description
|
|---|---|---|---|
| California Diplomacy Foundation | $5,300.69 | Mar 12, 2023 | California Japan Trade Mission: Tokyo and Osaka, Japan |
Sponsored Travel
Officials are allowed to have their expenses paid for domestic and international travel that is related to their work including, for example, trips to conferences or to tour places facing issues similar to California. There is no limit on the amount of travel expenses a official can accept. The trips are often funded by companies or organizations with interest in state policy.
|
Giver
|
Value
|
Date
|
Description
|
|---|---|---|---|
| AKT Investments, Inc. | $50,000 | Dec 28, 2018 | Contributed to the 501c4 organization hosting the Lieutenant Governor events. |
| California Professional Firefighters Ballot Issue Committee PAC | $25,000 | Dec 26, 2018 | Contributed to the 501c4 organization hosting the Lieutenant Governor events. |
| SEIU Local 2015 State PAC | $25,000 | Dec 28, 2018 | Contributed to the 501c4 organization hosting the Lieutenant Governor events. |
| California Correctional Peace Officers Association Truth in American Government Fund Non-profit 501(c)(5) | $25,000 | Dec 26, 2018 | Contributed to the 501c4 organization hosting the Lieutenant Governor events. |
| California State Council of Laborers Issues PAC | $20,000 | Dec 21, 2018 | Contributed to the 501c4 organization hosting the Lieutenant Governor events. |
| Northern California Carpenters Regional Council | $10,000 | Dec 21, 2018 | Contributed to the 501c4 organization hosting the Lieutenant Governor events. |
| Political Action for Classified Employees of California School Employees Small Contributor Committee | $5,000 | Dec 26, 2018 | Contributed to the 501c4 organization hosting the Lieutenant Governor events. |
| Standing Committee on Political Education of the California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO Small Contributor Committee | $5,000 | Dec 14, 2018 | Contributed to the 501c4 organization hosting the Lieutenant Governor events. |
Behests
These are unlimited payments made “at the behest” — or request — of a official to a third party. The behest might involve, for example, a official requesting a donation be made to a school district or a job fair. Behests must be reported if they exceed $5,000 from a single source in a year.
|
Giver
|
Value
|
Date
|
Description
|
|---|---|---|---|
| CA State Council of Service Employees | $25,000 | Jan 25, 2019 | Contributed to the 501c4 organization hosting the Lieutenant Governor events. |
| CA State Council of Service Employees | $25,000 | Feb 15, 2019 | Contributed to the 501c4 organization |
| CSLEA Political Action Committee | $20,000 | Jan 9, 2019 | Contributed to the 501c4 organization hosting the Lieutenant Governor events. |
| United Nurses Association of California/Union of Health Care Professionals Issues (UNAC PAC) | $15,000 | Jan 9, 2019 | Contributed to the 501c4 organization hosting the Lieutenant Governor events. |
| United Domestic Workers of America Action Fund Small Contributor Committee | $15,000 | Jan 16, 2019 | Contributed to the 501c4 organization hosting the Lieutenant Governor events. |
| Microsoft | $15,000 | Mar 11, 2019 | Contributed to the SF Equality Awards |
| Service Employees International Union Local 1000 Candidate PAC Small Contributor Committee | $15,000 | Jan 2, 2019 | Contributed to the 501c4 organization hosting the Lieutenant Governor events. |
| Farmers Insurance Group | $15,000 | May 24, 2019 | Contributed to the SF Equality Awards |
| AT&T California | $15,000 | Apr 2, 2019 | Contributed to the SF Equality Awards |
| Albert J Bower | $10,000 | Apr 15, 2019 | Contributed to SF Equality Awards |
| California Cannabis Industry Association | $10,000 | May 6, 2019 | Contributed to SF Equality Awards |
| Facebook, Inc. | $10,000 | Jun 27, 2019 | Contributed to the SF Equality Awards |
| Wells Fargo Bank | $10,000 | May 24, 2019 | Contributed to the SF Equality Awards |
| Sheet Metal Workers International Association Local No 104 | $10,000 | Jan 11, 2019 | Contributed to the 501c4 organization hosting the Lieutenant Governor events. |
| American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees - CA People Small Contributor Committee | $10,000 | Jan 8, 2019 | Contributed to the 501c4 organization hosting the Lieutenant Governor events. |
| Wells Fargo | $10,000 | May 21, 2019 | Contributed to the SF Equality Awards |
| California Faculty Association | $10,000 | Jan 17, 2019 | Contributed to the 501c4 organization hosting the Lieutenant Governor events. |
| Govern for California | $6,000 | Apr 26, 2019 | Contributed to the SF Equality Awards |
| Lighthouse Public Affairs | $6,000 | May 20, 2019 | Contributed to SF Equality Awards |
| The Allen Group | $6,000 | May 9, 2019 | Contributed to the SF Equality Awards |
| TMG Partners | $6,000 | May 21, 2019 | Contributed to SF Equality Awards |
| BNGF TMG Partners | $6,000 | May 24, 2019 | Contributed to the SF Equality Awards |
| National Union of Healthcare Workers | $6,000 | Mar 20, 2019 | Contributed to the SF Equality Awards |
| Golden State Warriors | $6,000 | May 24, 2019 | Contributed to the SF Equality Awards |
| Jacobson & Assoc | $5,000 | May 3, 2019 | Contributed to SF Equality Awards |
| Forty Niners Football Company, LLC | $5,000 | Apr 25, 2019 | Contributed to the SF Equality Awards |
| San Francisco International Airport | $5,000 | May 9, 2019 | Contributed to the SF Equality Awards |
| UFCW Western States Council Candidates PAC Small Contributor Committee | $5,000 | Jan 2, 2019 | Contributed to the 501c4 organization hosting the Lieutenant Governor events. |
| AirBnB | $5,000 | Jul 1, 2019 | Contributed to SF Equality Awards |
| Tito's Handmade Vodka | $5,000 | May 14, 2019 | Contributed to SF Equality Awards |
| Lear Family Foundation | $5,000 | May 14, 2019 | Contributed to the SF Equality Awards |
| Building Owners & Management (BOMA) | $5,000 | May 9, 2019 | Contributed to the SF Equality Awards |
| Cubic Transportation Systems, Inc. | $5,000 | May 13, 2019 | Contributed to the SF Equality Awards |
| Estee Lauder | $5,000 | Jul 5, 2019 | Contributed to the SF Equality Awards |
| FivePoint | $5,000 | May 14, 2019 | Contributed to the SF Equality Awards |
| Morel Ink | $5,000 | Jun 26, 2019 | Contributed to the SF Equality Awards. |
| WSPA | $5,000 | May 9, 2019 | Contributed to SF Equality Awards |
| AON, c/o The Benevity Community Impact Fund | $5,000 | May 14, 2019 | EQCA Equality Awards Sponsor |
| Santa Ynez Band of Mission Indians | $5,000 | Jan 3, 2019 | Contributed to the 501c4 organization hosting the Lieutenant Governor events. |
| PGH Wong Engineering, Inc. | $5,000 | Apr 25, 2019 | Contributed to SF Equality Awards |
| CFT COPE PROP/BALLOT | $5,000 | Jan 8, 2019 | Contributed to the 501c4 organization hosting the Lieutenant Governor events. |
| CAL FIRE Local 2881 | $5,000 | Jan 11, 2019 | Contributed to the 501c4 organization hosting the Lieutenant Governor events. |
| Ropes & Gray, LLP | $5,000 | Jun 7, 2019 | Contributed to the SF Equality Awards |
| TIAA Financial Services | $5,000 | Jun 7, 2019 | Contributed to the SF Equality Awards |
| Northern California Carpenters Regional Council | $5,000 | May 29, 2019 | Contributed to the SF Equality Awards |
| San Francisco Baseball Associates, LLC | $5,000 | May 31, 2019 | Contributed to the SF Equality Awards |
| Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck LLP | $5,000 | Mar 20, 2019 | Contributed to the SF Equality Awards |
| San Francisco Equity | $5,000 | Mar 20, 2019 | Contributed to the SF Equality Awards |
| Fenwick & West LLP | $5,000 | Apr 18, 2019 | Contributed to the SF Equality Awards |
| Latham and Watkins, LLP | $5,000 | Feb 21, 2019 | The LG is co-chairing EQCA Equality Awards |
| Alvin Baum | $5,000 | Apr 20, 2019 | Contributed to the SF Equality Awards |
| Eleni Kounalakis | $5,000 | Jan 31, 2019 | The LG is co-chairing EQCA Equality Awards |
| Salesforce Equality | $5,000 | Apr 16, 2019 | Contributed to the SF Equality Awards |
| San Francisco Travel | $5,000 | Mar 11, 2019 | Contributed to the SF Equality Awards |
| Reuben, Junius, & Rose | $5,000 | Apr 15, 2019 | Contributed to the SF Equality Awards |
| California Hospital Association | $5,000 | Apr 5, 2019 | Contributed to the SF Equality Awards |
| California Teachers Association | $5,000 | Mar 11, 2019 | Contributed to the SF Equality Awards |
| Fiona Ma for State Treasurer | $5,000 | May 14, 2019 | Contributed to the SF Equality Awards |
| Walmart | $5,000 | May 2, 2019 | Contributed to SF Equality Awards |
| Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP | $2,500 | Jan 2, 2019 | Contributed to the 501c4 organization hosting the Lieutenant Governor events. |
| Association of CA State Supervisors PAC | $2,500 | Jan 22, 2019 | Contributed to the 501c4 organization hosting the Lieutenant Governor events. |
| Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California | $2,500 | Jan 25, 2019 | Contributed to the 501c4 organization hosting the Lieutenant Governor events. |
Behests
These are unlimited payments made “at the behest” — or request — of a official to a third party. The behest might involve, for example, a official requesting a donation be made to a school district or a job fair. Behests must be reported if they exceed $5,000 from a single source in a year.
|
Giver
|
Value
|
Date
|
Description
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 99 Cents Only Stores LLC | $10,000 | Dec 9, 2020 | To support the Farm to Family program of the CA Association of Food Banks |
Behests
These are unlimited payments made “at the behest” — or request — of a official to a third party. The behest might involve, for example, a official requesting a donation be made to a school district or a job fair. Behests must be reported if they exceed $5,000 from a single source in a year.
|
Giver
|
Value
|
Date
|
Description
|
|---|---|---|---|
| American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) | $50,000 | Aug 26, 2021 | To support the CA Community Foundations' Disaster Relief, Recovery and Resilience Fund. |
Behests
These are unlimited payments made “at the behest” — or request — of a official to a third party. The behest might involve, for example, a official requesting a donation be made to a school district or a job fair. Behests must be reported if they exceed $5,000 from a single source in a year.
|
Giver
|
Value
|
Date
|
Description
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Women in California Leadership | $2,500 | Jul 22, 2022 | Recipient of a Minerva Scholarship reward. |
| Women in California Leadership | $2,500 | Jul 22, 2022 | Recipient of a Minerva Scholarship reward. |
Behests
These are unlimited payments made “at the behest” — or request — of a official to a third party. The behest might involve, for example, a official requesting a donation be made to a school district or a job fair. Behests must be reported if they exceed $5,000 from a single source in a year.
|
Giver
|
Value
|
Date
|
Description
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria | $4,650,000 | Oct 20, 2023 | 2023 APEC Summit |
| Mimi and Peter Haas Fund | $250,000 | Oct 26, 2023 | 2023 APEC Summit |
| East West Bank | $175,000 | Oct 16, 2023 | 2023 APEC Summit |
| Western United Dairymen | $150,000 | Dec 5, 2023 | 2023 Apec Summit |
| Florence Fang Family | $125,000 | Oct 22, 2023 | 2023 APEC Summit |
| PG&E Corporation Foundation | $100,000 | Oct 15, 2023 | 2023 APEC Summit |
| California Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee | $50,000 | Oct 16, 2023 | 2023 APEC Summit |
| Blue Diamond Growers | $10,000 | Oct 23, 2023 | 2023 APEC Summit |
| Women in CA Leadership | $3,000 | Jul 28, 2023 | Recipient of Minerva Scholarship Award |
| Women in CA Leadership | $3,000 | Jul 28, 2023 | Recipient of Minerva Scholarship Award |
Behests
These are unlimited payments made “at the behest” — or request — of a official to a third party. The behest might involve, for example, a official requesting a donation be made to a school district or a job fair. Behests must be reported if they exceed $5,000 from a single source in a year.
|
Giver
|
Value
|
Date
|
Description
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Women in California Leadership | $3,000 | Jul 29, 2024 | Minerva Scholarship for higher education |
| Women in California Leadership | $3,000 | Jul 29, 2024 | minerva scholarship, higher educaton scholarship |
Behests
These are unlimited payments made “at the behest” — or request — of a official to a third party. The behest might involve, for example, a official requesting a donation be made to a school district or a job fair. Behests must be reported if they exceed $5,000 from a single source in a year.
|
Giver
|
Value
|
Date
|
Description
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Women in California Leadership | $3,000 | Aug 4, 2025 | Women in California Leadership, Minerva Scholarship |
| Women in California Leadership | $3,000 | Aug 4, 2025 | Women in California Leadership Minerva Scholarship |
Behests
These are unlimited payments made “at the behest” — or request — of a official to a third party. The behest might involve, for example, a official requesting a donation be made to a school district or a job fair. Behests must be reported if they exceed $5,000 from a single source in a year.
Previous Election (2022):