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RandySF

(58,793 posts)
Fri May 11, 2018, 07:55 PM May 2018

MY ENDORSEMENT: Eleni Kounalakis for California Lt. Governor

In 1992, Eleni started her career as a staff member of the California Democratic Party in Sacramento and worked in the historic election, which elected two women to the U.S. Senate and turned California blue.

After the election, Eleni joined her family business, AKT Development, one of California’s most respected housing development firms. Over the next 18 years, Eleni worked her way up from project manager to president. Her work delivering housing for middle-class families in the Sacramento region earned her recognition as one of Sacramento’s most prominent businesswomen.

In 2010, Eleni was appointed by President Barack Obama as the U.S. Ambassador to Hungary and served side-by-side President Obama and Secretary Hillary Clinton promoting democracy.

She is the author of the highly acclaimed book, Madam Ambassador, Three Years of Diplomacy, Dinner Parties and Democracy in Budapest, published in 2015 by The New Press.

During her 18 years in the housing industry, Ambassador Kounalakis continued to work as a democratic activist, working on the campaigns of countless progressive candidates and initiatives. Passionate about early childhood development, she served on California’s First 5 Commission and the California Blue Ribbon Commission on Autism. She was appointed by Mayor Ed Lee to the San Francisco Port Commission, and currently chairs the California Advisory Council for International Trade and Investment.

Eleni Kounalakis graduated from Dartmouth College in 1989, and earned her MBA from UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business in 1992. She also holds an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the American College of Greece. She lives in San Francisco with her husband, veteran journalist Markos Kounalakis, and their two sons Neo and Eon.





https://www.eleniforca.com

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still_one

(92,186 posts)
1. I am for Jeff Bleich, however, I would be happy with Kounalakis, or any Democrat. I would not be
Fri May 11, 2018, 08:17 PM
May 2018

happy with Gayle McLaughlin, who is running as an independent, and voted for Jill Green

Blue_true

(31,261 posts)
3. Someone posted about that race last week.
Fri May 11, 2018, 08:24 PM
May 2018

Yes, either one would be an excellent choice and I would love to see them finish 1-2 in June.

BTW, will California be moving it's presidential primary to earlier? Thanks

Blue_true

(31,261 posts)
9. Some states run their state primaries later than the presidential primary.
Sat May 12, 2018, 01:55 PM
May 2018

The state that I live in Florida, is an example. Florida hold it's presidential primary on the big SEC primary day in the early spring. The state primary is in August. The same rules for voting applies to both, Florida is a closed primary state.

Gothmog

(145,168 posts)
8. I like what I see
Sat May 12, 2018, 11:05 AM
May 2018

Last edited Sat May 12, 2018, 02:10 PM - Edit history (1)

I am also glad that she is not endorsed by Our Revolution

Blue_true

(31,261 posts)
10. They endorsed McLaughlin, I think. The candidate in the OP
Sat May 12, 2018, 01:57 PM
May 2018

is impressive, I hope that she pulls through to the General.

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