According to campaign finance reports filed with the California Secretary of State, California Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis has raised $2,930,583 and spent $578,638 between Jan. 1, 2021, and May 26, 2022. Kounalakis currently serves as the president of the state senate.
Kounalakis is a member of the Democratic Party and assumed office in 2019. In California, the president of the senate is one of the roles of the lieutenant governor.The primary job of a state senate president is to preside over legislative sessions and ensure that members of the chamber abide by procedural rules. Kounalakis is running for reelection in 2022.
Kounalakis’ reported campaign finance activity, by quarter (2017-2022)
Contributions to Kounalakis
Of the $2.9 million already reported in the 2022 election cycle, $19,610 came from the top 10 donors.
Top Donors to Kounalakis (1/1/2021 – 5/26/2022)
| Rank | Total Amount | Donor Name | Donor Type |
| 1. | $32,400.00 | California State Association of Electrical Workers | Entity |
| 2. | $32,400.00 | California State Pipe Trades Council PAC | Entity |
| 3. | $17,400.00 | Professional Engineers in California Government Pecg PAC | Entity |
| 4. | $16,700.00 | Raise the Wage California Sponsored by the California State Council of Service Employees and Its Affiliates | Entity |
| 5. | $16,200.00 | Alexandra Tsakopoulos Investments | Entity |
| 6. | $16,200.00 | Anna Morfit | Individual |
| 7. | $16,200.00 | Ayman Sarriedine | Individual |
| 8. | $16,200.00 | Brianne M Tsakopoulos | Individual |
| 9. | $16,200.00 | California Attorneys Administrative Law Judges and Hearing Officers in State Employment Aka Case PAC | Entity |
| 10. | $16,200.00 | California Citrus Mutual PAC | Entity |
Expenditures by Kounalakis
Kounalakis reported $578,638 in expenditures, with $437,350 going to the 10 payees topping this list.
Top Expenditures by Kounalakis (1/1/2021 – 5/26/2022)
| Rank | Total Amount | Payee Name | Payee Type |
| 1. | $60,000.00 | David Binder Research Inc | Entity |
| 2. | $56,161.80 | Deane & Company | Entity |
| 3. | $47,500.00 | Daily Consulting LLC | Entity |
| 4. | $46,861.27 | Actblue Technical Services | Entity |
| 5. | $42,500.00 | Bertolina & Barnato Consulting | Entity |
| 6. | $41,343.04 | Aleksandra Reetz | Individual |
| 7. | $40,650.00 | Tristan Translations | Entity |
| 8. | $40,500.00 | Schuyler Hudak | Individual |
| 9. | $40,000.00 | Bearstar Strategies Inc | Entity |
| 10. | $21,834.65 | Card Service Center | Entity |
How donations to Kounalakis compare to the equivalent role in other states
A number of factors, including whether the position holder is the lieutenant governor or a state senator, can influence donor activity. Here is how Kounalakis compares to the 10 other senate presidents with campaign finance data available from Transparency USA in 2022:
Across the U.S., 30 senate presidents are members of the Republican Party and 19 are members of the Democratic Party, with one vacancy. The lieutenant governor serves as the president of the senate in 25 states. In other states, the president of the senate is a state senator chosen by the members of the chamber.
The data above are based on campaign finance reports that active California PACs submitted to the California Secretary of State. Transparency USA publishes campaign finance data following major reporting deadlines. State or federal law may require filers to submit additional reports.
| California Reports | Due Date |
| Semiannual | 1/31/2022 |
| 1st Pre-Election – Primary | 4/28/2022 |
| 2nd Pre-Election – Primary | 5/26/2022 |
| Semiannual | 8/1/2022 |
| 1st Pre-Election – General | 9/29/2022 |
| 2nd Pre- Election – General | 10/27/2022 |
| Semiannual | 1/31/2023 |
This article is a joint publication from Ballotpedia and Transparency USA, who are working together to provide campaign finance information for state-level elections. Learn more about our work here.