Eleni Kounalakis in 2022 CA Governor's race


On Abortion: We will enshrine reproductive rights in state constitution

What we are first and foremost doing in California is working on a package of legislation and a constitutional amendment that will enshrine in the California Constitution the right for access to abortions and for contraception in our state. But we are also anticipating--and it's very upsetting to me--this idea that we are in a position of becoming a sanctuary state for other American women who need to leave their state in order to be able to come here to exercise their right.
Source: KVCR News on 2022 California Lt. Gubernatorial race Jun 22, 2022

On Civil Rights: I'm proud we have enacted many protections for LGBTQ+ people

Lt. Governor Kounalakis announced she has established a council of transgender leaders to create a dialogue between state leaders and the transgender community in California. "Here in California, I'm proud we have enacted many protections for LGBTQ+ people, but we still have work to do, and that is especially true for issues facing our transgender and nonbinary family, friends, and neighbors," said Lt. Governor Kounalakis.
Source: Los Angeles Blade on 2022 California Lt. Gubernatorial race Sep 13, 2021

On Energy & Oil: People look to California on climate change, solutions

In terms of how we think in a bigger picture, around combating climate change. People are looking to California because we are investing in things like tax credits, and our universities are working on how do we scale up the climate solutions that we already know exist, like wind and solar. It's not going to be easy, and it will take time, but I'm convinced that this is the place where the future will happen first.
Source: KVCR News on 2022 California Lt. Gubernatorial race Jun 22, 2022

On Energy & Oil: Does not support off-shore drilling because of risk of spill

As one of three members of the State Lands Commission, Kounalakis does not support offshore oil drilling, because of the environmental risks of a potential spill. "The waters off of the coast around Southern California are far more valuable to us as a state in terms of recreation, in terms of habitat, in terms of trade," she said. "It just doesn't make sense to have this activity going on."
Source: Cal Matters on 2022 California Lt. Gubernatorial race Sep 22, 2022

On Environment: EPA must provide leadership to stop flood of polluted water

The State Lands Commission sent a letter to the EPA today stating that immediate action is needed to stop the flow of 50 million gallons per day of polluted water into the Tijuana River Valley. "The US EPA must provide leadership at this critical moment. The U.S. section of the Tijuana River Valley must be restored so that the health and safety of California's residents, visitors, wildlife, and natural resources are no longer threatened," adds the Lt.Gov. and State Lands Commissioner Kounalakis.
Source: Lands Comm. press release on 2022 California Governor race Feb 7, 2020

On Free Trade: Newsom: Kounalakis critical to state's interests abroad

Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order redesignating Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis as his top representative to advance California's economic interests abroad. Said Governor Newsom, "Lieutenant Governor Kounalakis has been a critical partner in advancing the state's interests abroad and I thank her for her leadership in ensuring that we continue to strengthen our global partnerships to drive economic growth and prosperity in California and beyond."
Source: Gubernatorial press release on 2022 California Governor race Dec 30, 2022

On Government Reform: For publicly funded campaigns and campaign finance reform

I believe in publicly funded campaigns and campaign finance reform. In the current system, candidates are forced to rely too much on institutional funding and their own resources. In my case, I accepted a spending cap and am very proud to have raised funds from nearly 2,500 donations to my campaign.
Source: Mother Jones on 2022 California Lt. Gubernatorial race Aug 6, 2018

On Health Care: For single-payer and will fight for universal healthcare

I believe in single-payer and will fight for universal healthcare.
Source: Lt. Gov. press release on 2022 California Governor race Nov 1, 2018

On Jobs: Removing affirmative action ban allows for more inclusivity

Kounalakis said the CSU and UC systems have tried to increase diversity since the affirmative action ban was approved by voters in 1996. "Our public education systems have worked around the existence of the law to find students who are part of underrepresented groups and get them into higher education systems," she said. "If we can see this proposition passed and remove this roadblock, it will give us back the tools to continue to fight for more inclusivity in education and hiring."
Source: EdSource on 2022 California Lt. Gubernatorial race Sep 23, 2020

On Principles & Values: Trump motivated me to run for office, defend democracy

There's no question that Trump was a motivating factor for me to run for lieutenant governor. It takes courage to run for office. I don't know that I had the courage to do it before Donald Trump, but I certainly knew immediately after that I would do whatever it took to do whatever it took to help my country and the vision of American democracy that we have worked so hard to perpetuate in the world, that it was time to fight for it here at home.
Source: Mother Jones on 2022 California Lt. Gubernatorial race Aug 6, 2018

The above quotations are from 2022 California Gubernatorial race: debates and news coverage.
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Page last updated: Jun 24, 2024