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Kounalakis Talks Water, Wildfires and Gas Tax in Run for Lt. Gov.
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By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 7 years ago on
August 28, 2018

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Eleni Kounalakis is used to having people botch her name. That is alright with her, as long as she gets votes.
The former U.S. ambassador to Hungary is running for lieutenant governor. While the position’s main job is to serve as governor in case of a vacancy or absence, the role has real duties, like sitting on the boards of the UC and CSU systems.
It is there that Kounalakis says she will better represent the Central Valley as a member of both boards. Although now living on the coast, she once lived in Sacramento.
Kounalakis stopped in Fresno recently for a fundraiser hosted by the Fresno County Young Democrats and Fresno city council president Esmeralda Soria. GV Wire interviewed her for our “Take 5” series.

On The Issues 

In this Take 5 segment, Kounalakis talks about:
— Addressing Central Valley water needs.
— Her views on Proposition 6 (repeal of gas tax hike).
— California wildfires and climate change.
— Solutions to the state’s affordable housing crisis.
— Valley representation on the CSU and UC boards.
Kounalakis (for the record, it is pronounced eh-LEN-ee koo-nah-LAH-kiss) is running against fellow Democrat, Sen. Ed Hernandez, for the lieutenant governor seat.

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David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

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