The role of Lieutenant Governor is to the governor as the Vice President is to the President. The job includes serving as the acting governor when the current governor is unavailable. They are also the president of our state Senate and cast the deciding vote when there is a tie within the house. A major portion of their job that affects students’ lives is that they are on the Board of Regents for the University of California and the Board of Trustees of the California State University system. On these boards, they make decisions about the tuition costs, curriculum, and the facilities of the schools in the UC/CSU system. They also are a part of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges system.  Therefore, if you are planning on attending a public college in the future, voting for the right Lieutenant Governor who keeps students’ futures in mind is essential. 

I am endorsing the incumbent Lieutenant Governor, Eleni Kounalakis. She is a constant advocate against the increase of tuition in the UC/CSU system. As someone who is thinking about going to a California public university in the future, the increasing tuition costs are troubling, which is why it is important to look for candidates who will be making this a priority to help make public higher education more accessible to everyone. We are lucky to live in a well-off suburban community, but not all of California is as fortunate; Kounalakis understands this as she was the first in her family to graduate from a university. As of late, there was an over-enrollment of students at San Diego State University, which led to overcrowded housing. Kounalakis said that this problem can be fixed through assisting in the graduation rates at CSU universities. 

Kounalakis also understands the immense pressure schooling can have on students’ mental health. In 2019, she visited different public universities including Long Beach State where she talked to students and campus leaders about the mental health issues of students that stem from housing troubles or the inability to be able to afford food. Kounalakis hopes to continue to promote the increase in funding for CSU and UC public colleges and universities that will allow students to be able to better maintain their income while in school.   

Another major aspect of Kounalakis’ campaign is advocating for equal rights of the minorities including women and people in the LGBT community. As the first woman to serve as the Lieutenant Governor, she is also the first woman in our state’s history who has ever signed a bill into law. AB 2179, or the COVID Tenant Relief Act, called for the protection of hundreds of renters from eviction by extending assistance in the rent relief programs. For the LGBT community, she has been vocal about her support as she sponsors and supports taking action in making sure that universities respect the identities of their students and of applicants. She has been a known supporter and has even been endorsed by Equality California,  a major LGBT civil rights organization. 

In comparison her opponent, Angela E. Underwood Jacobs, has more focused goals on helping the middle class and small businesses. With her experience as a bank executive, she understands the actions necessary to take toward strengthening California’s economy. She also has experience as a Criminal Justice Commissioner which is why another one of her major goals is to help improve the safety of the public. The reason I am endorsing Eleni Kounalakis instead of Angela E. Underwood Jacobs is because she has clearly set and stated goals that are essential and achievable when taking on the role of Lieutenant Governor. Her goals have an impact on more diverse groups of people including students, families, children, and many minorities.