California Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis publicly launched a brand new impartial political committee to mobilize “pro-choice” California voters and assist to defeat Donald Trump and take again Democratic management of the Home of Representatives.
Californians for Selection, which as a brilliant PAC is allowed to boost limitless sums from donors for impartial expenditures on races, plans to recruit volunteers throughout the state to make calls and knock on doorways in key congressional contests, in response to a press release from the committee.
The PAC will deal with defeating Reps. John Duarte (R-Modesto), Mike Garcia (R-Santa Clarita), David Valadao (R-Hanford) and Ken Calvert (R-Corona) and changing them with Democrats, in addition to retaining Democratic management of Irvine Rep. Katie Porter’s Home seat, the place Democratic State Sen. Dave Min is competing towards Republican Scott Baugh. As an alternative of working for reelection, Porter made a bid for the U.S. Senate however misplaced within the March main.
The PAC launched with a statewide 30-second advert starring Kounalakis, who speaks on to the digital camera in denims and a blazer whereas headlines about abortion restrictions blare within the background.
“I’m constructing a military to battle again, rise up for alternative and rise up for girls,” Kounalakis says within the advert.
Californians for Selection has positioned an preliminary advert purchase simply over seven figures throughout digital and TV, in response to David Beltran, a strategist working with the PAC.
The highly effective state politician and former U.S. ambassador to Hungary has already been working within the 2026 gubernatorial race for greater than a yr, and the advert will undoubtedly assist enhance her title recognition and burnish her picture as a pacesetter on abortion rights.
With Newsom termed out in 2026, the race to exchange him is already crowded greater than a yr out, with California Supt. of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, Sen. Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) and former state Controller Betty Yee amongst those that have already thrown their hats within the ring. State Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta has additionally stated he’s contemplating a gubernatorial bid, however hasn’t formally joined the race.
Kounalakis is the daughter of self-made Sacramento actual property magnate Angelo Tsakopoulos; she and her household have spent generously on their political priorities previously, together with Kounalakis’ lieutenant governor’s race.
Kounalakis was first elected as lieutenant governor in 2018 and reelected in 2022. The submit is a comparatively under-the-radar workplace that’s typically used a launching pad for the governor’s mansion. Each Newsom and former Gov. Grey Davis beforehand served as lieutenant governor.
Paperwork to create the Californians for Selection PAC was filed with the Federal Election Fee in mid-April, in response to FEC information.
