CALIFORNIA — November 9, 2026. AP called the California treasurer race for outgoing Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis. Her own 2026 policy questionnaire names housing bond financing, public investment oversight and family savings programs.
Election status: projections and reported counts are not final certified results. Sources are identified as official records, candidate questionnaires, campaign statements, media interviews or personal social-media posts; no unverified new post is presented as authentic.
An election called November 3
The AP called the California treasurer’s race for Democrat Eleni Kounalakis over Republican Jennifer Hawks. November 9 results showed around 65.7% for Kounalakis, according to the live statewide tracker, while votes continued to be counted. Kounalakis is treasurer-elect and is currently lieutenant governor; she will succeed Fiona Ma in the treasury office after the transition.
What the treasurer can influence
California’s treasurer handles state investments, public borrowing, bonds and financing boards that can support affordable housing and infrastructure. The treasurer is distinct from the controller and cannot alone approve every budget, mortgage subsidy or public housing project. Financing tools have statutory and market constraints.
A concrete housing-finance agenda
In a June 2026 questionnaire, Kounalakis said she wanted to modernize the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program, streamline bond processes and make it easier for approved affordable housing projects to obtain capital. She also emphasized infrastructure needed to support new homes. These are her candidate commitments, not evidence that particular projects received money after November 3.
Other priorities and oversight
Kounalakis identified pension protection, financial transparency and programs such as CalSavers, CalKIDS, ScholarShare 529 and CalABLE as priorities. She also described conservative management of revenue swings and maintaining liquidity during downturns. Implementation depends on future administrative choices, financing law and boards rather than one elected official’s personal promise.
Dated social source status
This report verified the result, the voter guide and Kounalakis’s detailed 2026 answers, but did not independently authenticate a specific new November 9 social-media post announcing appointments or signed agreements. It therefore attributes the plans to her published policy statements, not to an invented X or Instagram message.
Verified sources and dates
- KQED/AP — treasurer race
- Kounalakis 2026 policy questionnaire
- California official voter guide — treasurer statement
California58 requests on-the-record clarifications and will update results, candidate plans and source links as election offices release new information. A promise is not an enacted policy.
Support independent journalism for all Californians
Support reporting, public information and community coverage across California’s 58 counties.
Donate once by card ↗Support California58
Choose how to support California58:
Credit / Debit Card via StripeChoose an amount from $1. One-time support through the publisher's LINKERNO Stripe account.
Continue with PayPal Continue with ZelleZelle payments go to Vitaly Ataev Troshin. Please verify the recipient in your bank before sending. Availability depends on your bank.
Optional reader support. Contributions are not advertised as tax-deductible. Support does not influence editorial decisions.USEFUL SERVICES
Useful services from our ecosystem
AFFILIATED RESOURCE
Travel smarter worldwide
OptionTripAI-powered trip planning for journeys in California and around the world.
Explore OptionTrip →AFFILIATED RESOURCE
Free tax & property tools
TaxesTimeFree preliminary tax and property tools, including the Property Tax Savings Report.
Explore TaxesTime →AFFILIATED RESOURCE
California document support
LegalDocSVCDocument preparation support for self-represented Californians. Not a law firm and not legal advice.
Explore LegalDocSVC →WORK WITH CALIFORNIA58
Have a story, project or partnership idea?
California58 welcomes news tips, interviews, video projects, community partnerships, advertising and other California-focused collaborations.
Work with California58 →
COMMUNITY
Comments
Join the California58 conversation. You must be signed in to comment.
Create a free California58 account or sign in with an available social provider.