Jennifer
Hawks
Jennifer Hawks is the 2026 Republican nominee for California State Treasurer, a retired business executive from Los Altos challenging Democrat Eleni Kounalakis.
- sources
- 15
- positions
- 5
- endorsements
- 11
Background
Jennifer Hawks is the Republican nominee for California State Treasurer in the November 3, 2026 general election, challenging Democratic nominee Eleni Kounalakis for the seat being vacated by incumbent Fiona Ma, who is running for lieutenant governor. 168
Hawks's campaign describes her as a retired business executive. The Los Angeles Times reports she worked in human-resources and office-manager roles before spending roughly two decades as an executive assistant at Sacred Heart Schools in Atherton, retiring in 2021. 64
Hawks has not previously held elected office. Her official candidate statement notes she has been a Silicon Valley resident since 1983, and a May 2026 candidate questionnaire listed Los Altos as her city of residence. 18
Her campaign focuses on issues including fiscal accountability and infrastructure, pointing to California's high gas taxes and poor road conditions as examples of state mismanagement. 183
At a glance
- Party
- Republican
- Running for
- State Treasurer, California
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Republican nominee for California State Treasurer (2026)
- Website
- hawksforus.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 7newsHawks opposes continued state funding for high-speed rail in voter-guide report
A Southern California News Group voter-guide report compared Hawks' and Kounalakis' answers on high-speed rail and digital assets. Hawks argued the state should stop directing money to high-speed rail and focus instead on roads, water infrastructure, public safety, and debt and pension obligations.
California treasurer candidates share ideas on high-speed rail, the ... · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 5newsHawks publishes questionnaire responses on digital assets and public finance
In an election questionnaire published by the Southern California News Group, Hawks stated California should not obstruct responsible private-sector development of digital assets, but said she would be 'extremely cautious' about placing public or pension funds in speculative digital assets.
Jennifer Hawks, California treasurer candidate, 2026 election questionnaire · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 5newsCalifornia general-election ballots begin mailing to voters
California began mailing general-election ballots to voters on October 5, meaning voting in the treasurer race between Hawks and Kounalakis was underway by the time of candidate coverage on October 7.
Election 2026: What to know in California · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 1pollLA Times labels Kounalakis the front-runner; no poll cited
The Los Angeles Times described Kounalakis as the front-runner in the treasurer race but did not provide polling figures or a specific poll to support the characterization.
Your guide to the California treasurer race: Kounalakis vs. Hawks · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 1newsLA Times voter guide identifies Hawks' endorsements and campaign themes on spending and accountability
The Los Angeles Times published a voter guide covering the treasurer race. It reported Hawks was endorsed by the California Republican Assembly, Reform California, gun-rights groups, and Republican women's groups. Her campaign emphasized scrutinizing taxpayer spending and accountability, criticizing past expenditures on high-speed rail, homelessness programs, and a wildlife crossing.
Your guide to the California treasurer race: Kounalakis vs. Hawks · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 25endorsementSacramento Bee voter guide documents Hawks' Republican endorsements and policy platform
The Sacramento Bee reported that Hawks received support from the state GOP's Victory '26 slate, several county Republican parties, the California Pistol and Rifle Association, and Reform California.
Your guide to the California state treasurer's race · Sep 25, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Aug 27filingHawks certified as general-election candidate for California treasurer
The California Secretary of State certified Hawks and Kounalakis as the two candidates for state treasurer on the November 3 general-election ballot.
Eleni Kounalakis (D) — Treasurer, California | 2026 profile · Sep 24, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Aug 1filingHawks reported to have raised approximately $79,000 as of August 2026
A Progressive Voters Guide page reported Hawks had raised roughly $79,000 as of August 2026. The page did not provide a precise reporting cutoff or official filing citation.
Santa Clara County - Progressive Voters Guide · Sep 26, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jun 2newsHawks places second in California treasurer primary, advancing to general election
Jennifer Hawks received 2,063,253 votes (24.0%) in the June 2 primary, placing second behind Democrat Eleni Kounalakis (36.7%). Under California's top-two system, Hawks advanced to the November general election.
Eleni Kounalakis (D) — Treasurer, California | 2026 profile · Sep 24, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Carl DeMaio officialCalifornia Assemblymember listed as an endorser in a June 2026 primary-guide compilation; no endorsement date or direct statement from DeMaio found in sources reviewed. prideatthepier.org
- American Independent Party of California organizationListed in a June 2026 primary-guide endorsement compilation; no separate endorsement date stated. prideatthepier.org
- United Vietnamese American Community of Northern California organizationListed in a June 2026 primary-guide endorsement compilation; no endorsement date stated. prideatthepier.org
- California Republican Party organizationFormally endorsed Hawks during the 2026 primary race; endorsement confirmed by CalMatters May 5 article but no specific endorsement date given. calmatters.org
- California Young Republicans organizationListed in iVoterGuide's endorsements section; noted as received after its evaluation deadline, no endorsement date given. ivoterguide.com
- Republican county organizations (Santa Barbara, Madera, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, and Napa counties) organizationSacramento Bee reported on September 25, 2026 that Hawks was supported by local Republican parties in these counties; no individual endorsement dates provided. sacbee.com
- Republican Conservative Coalition organizationListed in iVoterGuide's endorsements section; noted as received after its evaluation deadline, no endorsement date given. ivoterguide.com
- California Women's Leadership Association PAC organizationListed in a June 2026 primary-guide endorsement compilation; no dated announcement from the PAC itself found. prideatthepier.org
- California Republican Assembly (CRA) organizationListed Hawks for State Treasurer on its statewide endorsements page dated June 18, 2026; specific endorsement date not stated. Also noted in CalMatters candidate guide. cragop.org · Jun 18, 2026
- California Rifle & Pistol Association (CRPA) organizationListed Hawks among its 2026 executive-candidate endorsements on a page dated April 23, 2026; no separate endorsement date stated. crpa.org · Apr 23, 2026
- Reform California organizationAnnounced endorsement of Hawks for Treasurer as part of its 2026 primary endorsements announcement on March 19, 2026. reformcalifornia.org · Mar 19, 2026
Sources 15
- [1] Election 2026: What to know in California(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [2] Jennifer Hawks(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [3] Voter Guide Profile for CA Treasurer candidate - Jennifer Hawks(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [4] California treasurer candidates share ideas on high-speed rail, the ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
- [5] Jennifer Hawks, California treasurer candidate, 2026 election questionnaire(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
- [6] Modjeska — Pride At The Pier(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
- [7] The Issues: California Waste, Debt & Boondoggles | Jennifer Hawks(opens in a new tab) Oct 4, 2026
- [8] Your guide to the California treasurer race: Kounalakis vs. Hawks(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026
- [9] Santa Clara County - Progressive Voters Guide(opens in a new tab) Sep 26, 2026
- [10] Your guide to the California state treasurer's race(opens in a new tab) Sep 25, 2026
- [11] Eleni Kounalakis (D) — Treasurer, California | 2026 profile(opens in a new tab) Sep 24, 2026
- [12] STATEWIDE OFFICES - CRA - California Republican Assembly(opens in a new tab) Jun 18, 2026
- [13] Excel nerds need not apply: California picks a politician to manage billions(opens in a new tab) May 5, 2026
- [14] 2026 Executive Candidates: - CRPA(opens in a new tab) Apr 23, 2026
- [15] Reform California Announces Endorsements for CA 2026 ...(opens in a new tab) Mar 19, 2026