San Francisco, Calif. November 13, 2017 – Today, EMILY’s List formally endorsed Eleni Kounalakis for Lieutenant Governor. In a statement, Stephanie Schriock, president of EMILY’s List, praised Eleni’s commitment to affordable education, healthcare access and gender equity.
“Throughout her career as a business leader and community advocate, Eleni Kounalakis has always fought to promote fairness, diversity and opportunity for California families,” said Schriock. “Whether it’s running a successful business that delivered homes for middle-class families in the Sacramento region or her work advocating for early childhood education, Californians can count on Eleni to stand up for them.
“As Lieutenant Governor, Eleni will fight to strengthen California’s economy so it works for everyone, especially women and families—and EMILY’s List is proud to endorse her.”
“I’m so proud to have EMILY’s List support behind this campaign for a better, stronger California,” said Kounalakis. “2018 is about women taking a stand and taking the lead to improve their communities because the future depends on all of us taking action. California must continue to lead the nation, and as Lt. Governor, I will fight tirelessly to strengthen our economy so it works for everyone, especially women and families.”
Kounalakis comes armed with a growing list of endorsements from prominent Democratic elected officials and organizations, like U.S. Senator Kamala Harris, San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee, Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs, Representatives Anna Eshoo, Doris Matsui, and Mike Thompson, former State Senator Mark Leno, Sacramento Assemblymember Kevin McCarty, CA Women’s List, and the Fresno, Marin, and Ventura County Young Democrats.
Kounalakis is a business woman and diplomat. She was appointed by President Barack Obama as Ambassador to Hungary in 2010. She is a life-long Democrat and five-time delegate to the Democratic National Convention and worked as an advocate for early childhood education as a member of California’s First 5 Commission and the Blue Ribbon Commission on Autism.
She was appointed by Gov. Jerry Brown to lead the California International Trade and Investment Advisory Council and served as a member of the San Francisco Port Commission. Prior to serving our country in the diplomatic corps, she was president of AKT Development Corporation in Sacramento, where she grew up. She is a graduate of the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business and Dartmouth College. She and her husband, Markos, live in San Francisco where they are raising their two teenage sons.
For more information on Eleni Kounalakis for Lt. Governor, please visit www.EleniForCA.com.