Ambassador Eleni Kounalakis was sworn in as the 50th Lieutenant Governor of California by Governor Gavin Newsom on January 7th, 2019. She is the first woman elected Lt. Governor of California. A native Californian, she visited each of the state’s 58 counties during her historic campaign. In addition to her duties as Lt. Governor, Kounalakis is California’s Representative for International Affairs and Trade, appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom by executive order.
My father came to the United States when he was 14 years old - alone and penniless. He became a farmworker in the fields of Lodi, California, and later attended Sacramento State University on a waiter’s salary. He started his own business, where I was proud to work with him side-by-side for nearly 18 years, rising from project manager to president. I have personally walked the path of the American Dream, and I deeply understand the value of California’s immigrant communities.
I proudly served as a member of Lt. Governor Cruz Bustamante’s One California Commission, which helped lead the fight for equality for all Californians. As the daughter of an immigrant who started out in California as a farmworker, I believe we should give farmworkers a pathway to citizenship. You can join me - sign my petition here.
And as California’s next Lt. Governor, I will make it my mission to protect our immigrants, defend Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and fight for equality for all Californians. Finally, like many, I’ve been extremely concerned about the rhetoric and actions of the Trump Administration. I love California – I was born and raised here. It’s where I’m raising my sons. This is my home, and I’m going to stand up to anyone who threatens to undermine our values or the diversity and strengths that make us great.