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Statewide constitutional office

Lieutenant Governor of California

This durable statewide office is next in California's executive succession and carries constitutional, legislative, higher-education, and public-land responsibilities.

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Data coverage
Government
State of California
Public body
California executive branch
Electoral area
California statewide
Outline map of California, the statewide electoral area
California statewide
i
Reviewed California state outline. This office represents the full state. A district comparison tool is not needed.

Office overview

The office at a glance

See what this office does, the government it belongs to, the area it represents, and how voters choose its officeholder.

Government levelStateState of California
Contest typeVoter-nominatedCalifornia top-two primary
SeatStatewide officeOne of California's eight statewide constitutional offices
Regular term4 yearsRegular term; next election is 2026; no one may serve more than two terms in this office

What this office does

Supports statewide executive, legislative, and board duties

The Lieutenant Governor acts as Governor when required, succeeds to a gubernatorial vacancy, presides over the State Senate with a tie-breaking vote, and serves on major higher-education and public-land boards.

Office of Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis

Election process

A statewide top-two election every four years

All voters receive the same voter-nominated candidate list. The top two primary finishers advance regardless of party preference, and the general-election winner serves a four-year term.

Next electionNovember 3, 2026

Open the 2026 Election Page
California statewide statisticsJuly 1, 2025 population estimate and 2020–2024 measures

These statewide measures describe the shared electoral area for all eight California constitutional offices. They do not describe an officeholder's performance. QuickFacts combines the latest available population estimate with 2020–2024 Census measures, so each row retains its own period note.

People and households

Population
39,355,309July 1, 2025 estimate
Persons per household
2.842020–2024
Foreign-born residents
27.0%Share of residents; 2020–2024

Income and education

Median household income
$99,1222024 inflation-adjusted dollars
People in poverty
11.8%2020–2024
Bachelor's degree or higher
37.1%Population age 25+; 2020–2024

Housing

Housing units
14,995,410July 1, 2025 estimate
Homeownership rate
55.9%Occupied housing units; 2020–2024
Median gross rent
$2,036Monthly; 2020–2024
U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: California

Current officeholder

Who currently holds this office?

The official Lieutenant Governor's website and California Roster identify Eleni Kounalakis as California's current Lieutenant Governor.

Past officeholders49 verified succession records

Succession history

Explore prior service

All prior officeholders listed in the 2026 California Roster.

A displayed end boundary is the date on which the next listed officeholder assumed office; it is not independently asserted as the prior officeholder's final day.

Electoral area

Where this office represents

See the geographic area represented by this office and open its location information when available.

Outline map of California, the statewide electoral area
California statewideReviewed California state outline. This office represents the full state. A district comparison tool is not needed.

Reviewed electoral area

California

Voters in all 58 California counties elect this officeholder to one statewide office.

A reviewed static map is shown while a reliable interactive boundary remains unavailable.

Open the Location Page

Past elections

Election history

This section covers completed elections. Current and upcoming contests remain on the Election Page linked from the top of this Office Page. A published past Election Page contains the full candidate list, certified result, campaign-finance coverage, methodology, and source documents.

Election archive

November 8, 2022 · Lieutenant Governor of California page not yet published

The election is listed so the office chronology is clear, but its result and source documents have not yet been assembled into a Paper Trail Politics Election Page.

Public records

Records connected to this office

Open the official records used to follow the work, decisions, or disclosures connected to this office.

Public lands

California State Lands Commission

Follow the commission on which the Lieutenant Governor serves and alternates as chair.

Open official record

Higher education

University of California Board of Regents

Review the governing board on which the Lieutenant Governor serves as an ex officio member.

Open official record

Higher education

California State University Board of Trustees

Review the governing board on which the Lieutenant Governor serves as an ex officio trustee.

Open official record

News and Press Releases

Updates from this office

Read press releases, official updates, and coverage selected by this office. Follow each link to its source.

Official portrait of Eleni Kounalakis
Office of Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis
Office of Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis
Official update

Lieutenant Governor Kounalakis's Statement on Dolores Huerta Day

Lieutenant Governor Kounalakis issued a statement recognizing Dolores Huerta's civil- and labor-rights work and lifelong public leadership.

Office of Lieutenant Governor Eleni KounalakisRead official update
Official portrait of Eleni Kounalakis
Office of Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis
Office of Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis
Official update

Statement from the Lieutenant Governor's Transgender Advisory Council on International Transgender Day of Visibility

The advisory council and Lieutenant Governor issued statements about visibility, safety, dignity, and policy affecting transgender Californians.

Office of Lieutenant Governor Eleni KounalakisRead official update
Official portrait of Eleni Kounalakis
Office of Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis
Office of Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis
Official update

Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis's 2025 Year in Review

The office summarized its 2025 work involving legislation, higher education, international engagement, environmental leadership, and community visits.

Office of Lieutenant Governor Eleni KounalakisRead official update

Sources

Sources and data coverage

Review the public records used on this page, what Paper Trail Politics has captured, and what remains incomplete.

Current assessmentStrong coverage

The office identity, current officeholder and contact, verified succession chronology, California-wide electoral area and statistics, connected 2026 election, official records, related statewide offices, three current official publications, and source trail are included.

Assessed August 18, 2026 · Current 2026 records

The 2018 and 2022 Election Pages, complete historical portrait coverage, compensation, additional succession context, and full visual and accessibility release review remain incomplete.

Sources used on this page20 source organizations · 64 records
Official candidate source

1 record from this source is used on the page.

Candidate list and ballot informationhttps://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/sov/2026-primary/sov/46-lt-gov.xlsx
U.S. Census Bureau state boundary

1 record from this source is used on the page.

Boundary source for State of Californiahttps://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/USLandmass/MapServer/0
Office of Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis

7 records from this source are used on the page.

Official government information about the office and public bodyhttps://ltg.ca.gov/The official Lieutenant Governor's website and California Roster identify Eleni Kounalakis as California's current Lieutenant Governor.https://ltg.ca.gov/contact/Portrait source page for Eleni Kounalakishttps://ltg.ca.gov/about/Official update: Lieutenant Governor Kounalakis's Statement on Dolores Huerta Dayhttps://ltg.ca.gov/2026/04/10/lieutenant-governor-kounalakis-statement-on-dolores-huerta-day/Official update: Statement from the Lieutenant Governor's Transgender Advisory Council on International Transgender Day of Visibilityhttps://ltg.ca.gov/2026/03/31/statement-from-lieutenant-governor-kounalakis-transgender-advisory-council-on-international-transgender-day-of-visibility/Official update: Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis's 2025 Year in Reviewhttps://ltg.ca.gov/2026/01/02/lieutenant-governor-eleni-kounalakiss-2025-year-in-review/Official publication archive used to review current News items.https://ltg.ca.gov/press-releases/
U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: California

1 record from this source is used on the page.

July 1, 2025 population estimate and 2020–2024 measures detailed district statisticshttps://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/CA/PST045225
California Secretary of State · 2026 History of California Constitutional Officeholders

1 record from this source is used on the page.

Verified succession chronology for Lieutenant Governor of Californiahttps://admin.cdn.sos.ca.gov/ca-roster/2026/history-of-officers.pdf
Office of Governor Gavin Newsom

1 record from this source is used on the page.

Reviewed photograph for Gavin Newsom · Office of the Governor of California · Official California government photographhttps://www.gov.ca.gov/about/
Office of the Lieutenant Governor via Wikimedia Commons

2 records from this source are used on the page.

Reviewed photograph for Abel Maldonado · Office of the Lieutenant Governor of California · Public domain (California government work)https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Abel-Maldonado.jpgReviewed photograph for Mona Pasquil · California Lieutenant Governor's Office · Public domain (California government work)https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mona_pasquil.jpg
U.S. Congress via Wikimedia Commons

1 record from this source is used on the page.

Reviewed photograph for John Garamendi · United States Congress · Public domain (U.S. government work)https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:John_Garamendi_113th_Congress.jpg
Wikimedia Commons

37 records from this source are used on the page.

Reviewed photograph for Cruz Bustamante · Folksong; crop by Raafael · CC BY-SA 2.5https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cruz_Bustamante.PNGReviewed photograph for Ed Reinecke · California State Printing Office · Public domainhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Edwin_Reinecke,_1971.jpgReviewed photograph for Robert H. Finch · California State Printing Office · Public domainhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Robert_Finch,_1967.jpgReviewed photograph for Glenn M. Anderson · California State Printing Office · Public domainhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Glenn_M._Anderson,_1963.jpgReviewed photograph for Harold J Powers · California State Printing Office · Public domainhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Harold_J._Powers,_1954.jpgReviewed photograph for Goodwin J. Knight · Unknown photographer · Public domainhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Goodwin_J._Knight,_31st_Governor_of_California_Crop_Edit.jpgReviewed photograph for Frederick F. Houser · California State Printing Office · Public domainhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Frederick_F._Houser,_1942.jpgReviewed photograph for Ellis E. Patterson · Harris & Ewing, photographer · Public domainhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ellis_E._Patterson_(1).jpgReviewed photograph for George J. Hatfield · Los Angeles Times · CC BY 4.0https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:George_J._Hatfield,_1936.jpgReviewed photograph for Frank F. Merriam · Los Angeles Times · CC BY 4.0https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Frank_Merriam,_portrait_photo_(cropped).jpgReviewed photograph for H.L. Carnahan · Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domainhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Herschel_L._Carnahan.pngReviewed photograph for Buron Fitts · Los Angeles Times · CC BY 4.0https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Buron_Fitts_1928.jpgReviewed photograph for C. C. Young · California State Printing Office · Public domainhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:C._C._Young_1924.pngReviewed photograph for William D. Stephens · Bain News Service, publisher · Public domainhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:William_D._Stephens_LCCN2014715011_(cropped).jpgReviewed photograph for John M. Eshleman · Internet Archive Book Images · Public domainhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:John_Morton_Eshleman_1915.jpgReviewed photograph for A.J. Wallace · Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domainhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Albert_Joseph_Wallace_1910_Edit.jpgReviewed photograph for Warren R. Porter · International News Service (New York, NY), publisher. · Public domainhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Warren_R._Porter.jpgReviewed photograph for Alden Anderson · Bain News Service, publisher · Public domainhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Alden_Anderson.jpgReviewed photograph for Jacob H. Neff · The Wasp · Public domainhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jacob_H._Neff_1898_Edit.jpgReviewed photograph for William T. Jeter · Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domainhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:W._T._Jeter_1892_Edit.jpgReviewed photograph for Spencer G. Millard · "San Francisco Chronicle" (San Francisco, CA). · Public domainhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Spencer_G._Millard_(California_Lt._Governor).jpgReviewed photograph for John B. Reddick · Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domainhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lieut._Governor_J._B._Reddick_1893.jpgReviewed photograph for Stephen M. White · Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domainhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:StephenMWhite_(cropped).JPGReviewed photograph for Robert W. Waterman · Isaiah West Taber · Public domainhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Robert_Waterman_Crop.jpgReviewed photograph for John Daggett · I. W. Taber · Public domainhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:John_Daggett_circa_1885_Crop.jpgReviewed photograph for John Mansfield · "Land of Sunshine" magazine. Charles F. Lummis, editor. Land of Sunshine Publishing Co. (Los Angeles, CA), publisher. · Public domainhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:John_Mansfield_(California_lieutenant_governor)_Crop.jpgReviewed photograph for James A. Johnson · Mathew Brady · Public domainhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:James_Augustus_Johnson_Alt_Crop.jpgReviewed photograph for William Irwin · Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domainhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:William_Irwin_Oval_Edit.pngReviewed photograph for Romualdo Pacheco · Mathew Benjamin Brady / Levin Corbin Handy · Public domainhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Romualdo_Pacheco_-_Brady-Handy_(cropped).jpgReviewed photograph for William Holden · "Hutchings' Illustrated California Magazine". Volume II, Number 10. Hutchings & Rosenfield (San Francisco, CA), publishers. · Public domainhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:William_Holden_(California_Lieutenant_Governor).jpgReviewed photograph for Pablo de la Guerra · I. W. Taber · Public domainhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pablo_de_la_Guerra_Oval.pngReviewed photograph for Isaac N. Quinn · Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domainhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Isaac_N._Quinn.jpgReviewed photograph for John G. Downey · Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domainhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:John_G._Downey_Crop.jpgReviewed photograph for John Walkup · J. M. Jacobs · Public domainhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Joseph_Walkup_3x4.jpgReviewed photograph for Samuel Purdy · Unknown, but cropped by Daphne Maddox · Public domainhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Samuel_Purdy.pngReviewed photograph for David C. Broderick · Mathew Benjamin Brady · Public domainhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:David_C._Broderick_-_Brady-Handy_Crop.jpgReviewed photograph for John McDougal · William F. Cogswell · Public domainhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:John_McDougall_Portrait_Crop_Edit_3x4.jpg
Office of the Governor via Wikimedia Commons

1 record from this source is used on the page.

Reviewed photograph for Gray Davis · State of California · Public domain (California government work)https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gray_Davis,_portrait_(3x4).jpg
UC Berkeley Library via Wikimedia Commons

1 record from this source is used on the page.

Reviewed photograph for Leo T. McCarthy · Californians for McCarthy / UC Berkeley Library · Public domainhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Leo_T._McCarthy,_1982_portrait_(cropped).jpg
ABC Television press photograph via Wikimedia Commons

1 record from this source is used on the page.

Reviewed photograph for Mike Curb · ABC Television · Public domainhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mike_Curb_Congregation_and_Davy_Jones_on_Pop_1972_(cropped).JPG
California Blue Book 1975 via Wikimedia Commons

1 record from this source is used on the page.

Reviewed photograph for Mervyn M. Dymally · California State Printing Office · Public domainhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mervyn_M._Dymally,_1975.jpg
California Blue Book 1971 via Wikimedia Commons

1 record from this source is used on the page.

Reviewed photograph for John L. Harmer · California State Printing Office · Public domainhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:John_L._Harmer,_1971.jpg
California State Lands Commission

1 record from this source is used on the page.

California State Lands Commissionhttps://www.slc.ca.gov/
University of California

1 record from this source is used on the page.

University of California Board of Regentshttps://regents.universityofcalifornia.edu/
California State University

1 record from this source is used on the page.

California State University Board of Trusteeshttps://www.calstate.edu/csu-system/board-of-trustees
California Secretary of State

2 records from this source are used on the page.

California Roster source for the eight current statewide constitutional officers and their office contact information.https://www.sos.ca.gov/administration/california-rosterOfficial explanation of California voter-nominated and nonpartisan primary election rules.https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/primary-elections-california
California Legislative Information

1 record from this source is used on the page.

California Constitution Article V source for executive powers, statewide election timing, terms, and term limits.https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?article=V&chapter=&division=&lawCode=CONS&part=&title=
U.S. Census Bureau

1 record from this source is used on the page.

State cartographic boundary source underlying the static California map treatment.https://www.census.gov/geographies/mapping-files/time-series/geo/cartographic-boundary.html
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