NEWYou now have the option to listen to articles from Fox News!
Eleni Kounalakis, the Lieutenant Governor of California, who had previously announced her candidacy for governor over two years ago, has decided to withdraw from the race and instead run for the position of state treasurer.
In a statement, the Democrat stated, “At this moment, I believe I can make the greatest impact by focusing on California’s financial future,” as reported by Politico.
Fox News Digital reached out to Kounalakis’ campaign early Friday morning for a comment from the lieutenant governor.
GOP CONGRESSMAN VOWS ‘ALL OPTIONS ARE ON THE TABLE’ TO STOP US-WIDE REDISTRICTING WAR
California Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis and California Gov. Gavin Newsom attend the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on Aug. 19, 2024 in Chicago, Ill. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Former Vice President Kamala Harris recently announced that she had considered running for governor but decided against it for this election cycle.
The 2026 gubernatorial race in California is wide open since the current Governor, Gavin Newsom, a Democrat in his second term, is unable to run again due to the state’s two-term limit.
FORMER VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS WILL NOT RUN FOR CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR
Former Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at the State of the People POWER Tour opening ceremony on June 6, 2025 in Los Angeles, Calif. ( Mario Tama/Getty Images)
The state constitution stipulates that “No Governor may serve more than 2 terms.”
Newsom, who assumed office in 2019, successfully defended his position in a gubernatorial recall election in 2021 and was re-elected for a second term in 2022.
SCHWARZENEGGER PUSHING BACK AGAINST NEWSOM REDISTRICTING BID IN CALIFORNIA
Eleni Kounalakis, lieutenant governor of California, speaks at the Environmental Caucus at the California Democratic Party convention at the Anaheim Hilton and Convention Center in Anaheim Friday, May 30, 2025 (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Democratic candidates vying to succeed Newsom include former U.S. Rep. Katie Porter, former Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, and others.
