Is Tsakopoulos greasing the wheels for his daughter's gubernatorial bid with cash donations, or some other big Elk Grove project?
In the last few days, politicians across California who have received campaign donations or maintain an active account reported fundraising activities on their California Form 460.
Among the notable contributions to members of the Elk Grove City Council were large donations to two current members. Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen and District 4 City Councilmember Sergio Robles each accepted $5,900 from multi-millionaire developer Angelo K. Tsakopoulos.
While donations to Elk Grove elected officials from Mr. Tsakopoulos are not surprising, there are a couple of things worth considering. The first of which is that Tsakopoulos has a big project coming in the next few years, and they are simply getting cash out in front of new state laws that would require disclosure or disqualification from votes by city council members on the possible endeavor.
Given the new disclosure laws, it is certainly plausible. But there is a more intriguing possibility, and it involves Mr. Tsakopoulos' daughter, California Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis.
The Lt. Governor is one of several candidates seeking the Democratic nomination for Governor of California. Although several candidates are vying for the nomination, Cal Matters Dan Walters rates the Lt. Governor as one of the top-tier candidates.
One of the crucial features for Kounalakis in her primary bid will be endorsements. Are the donations to Mayor Singh-Allen and Councilman Robles nice enticements for their endorsement?
Notwithstanding his DUI arrests, his recent opposition to ICE raids could help with younger Latino voters. The mayor could be an attractive endorsement for gender voters and within the growing Sikh community, which is exerting its political influence.
Granted, these endorsements will have a limited range, but in low-participation elections like the June 2026 California primary, they could be deal-makers. If you don't think it matters, consider Betty Yee's 2014 primary campaign for State Controller.
Among the five candidates (one Republican and four Democratic candidates), Ms. Yee came in second to the Republican and ahead of the third-place candidate, then-Speaker of the Assembly John Pérez.
Thought to be a favorite, Pérez did not actively campaign. Yee, on the other hand, did.
Among the appearances Yee made was a Democratic candidate forum in Elk Grove that Pérez skipped. In the final toll, Yee edged out Pérez by 481 votes!
Maybe Yee picked up a couple dozen votes in Elk Grove just by showing up? Sometimes the difference between success and failure is just a matter of showing up.
- Betty Yee (Democratic): 878,195 votes (21.74%)
- John Pérez (Democratic): 877,714 votes (21.73%)
In the November elections, Yee easily beat the Republican candidate.
Papa Tsakopoulos may be leaving nothing to chance for his little girl. Slide some pocket change (by his standards) to a couple of back benchers like Robles and Singh-Allen for their endorsement, and other local elected officials who think they are so special might be the difference between his daughter Elini finishing in the top two or being left behind.
We will not be surprised if Robles, Singh-Allen, and other local Democratic hacks line up behind Kounalakis during endorsement season and at the state convention.
#8647 #NoKings #ProDemocracy
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