Jennifer Hawks, a Republican, is running for California Treasurer in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. She faces Democrat Eleni Kounalakis.

Hawks received 26.5% of the vote, or 1,411,794 votes, in the six-candidate June 2, 2026, nonpartisan primary to advance to the general election, according to CalMatters.

Hawks says she is running to restore transparency, accountability and oversight to California's bonds, debt and pension investments, according to her statement in the California Official Voter Information Guide.

Candidate information

  • Party: Republican
  • Residence: Bay Area; campaign P.O. Box in Palo Alto
  • Background: Retired business executive. Hawks says she retired in 2021 and describes herself as a business professional who spent her career managing budgets, improving operations and demanding accountability, according to her campaign website. CalMatters describes Hawks as a Bay Area party activist and former private school administrator.

Experience and public service

Hawks says she has held the following positions, according to a Reform California interview:

  • Assistant secretary to the board at Sacred Heart School in Atherton, a private school administration role she held through 2021
  • Banking professional at an unnamed banking institution
  • Office manager and administrative and finance support at Internet Research Group, which was acquired by Jupiter Communications

On the issues

High-speed rail and California bonds: Hawks says she opposes continued bond issuance for California's high-speed rail project, calling it a "train to nowhere" and a "fiasco." She says the treasurer has the power to reject bond offerings that are not financially responsible, according to the Reform California interview.

Public pension oversight: Hawks says she would bring the voice of the taxpayer onto the CalPERS and CalSTRS boards. She says she opposes politically driven investing and what she characterizes as gold-plated pensions and fraud, according to the Reform California interview.

Fiscal transparency: Hawks says the treasurer's office can demand transparency, strengthen oversight and shine a light on how taxpayer dollars are managed, according to her statement in the California Official Voter Information Guide.

Endorsements

Hawks has received endorsements from the following organizations, according to BallotReady profile data and the Reform California interview:

  • Carl DeMaio / Reform California
  • California GOP
  • Los Angeles County GOP
  • San Bernardino County GOP
  • Santa Clara County GOP
  • Alameda County GOP
  • Monterey County GOP
  • California Republican Assembly
  • Silicon Valley Association of Conservative Republicans
  • California Rifle and Pistol Association

Candidate information in this profile is drawn from the California Official Voter Information Guide, CalMatters reporting, BallotReady data, the candidate's campaign website and a Reform California interview. The Santa Monica Wave did not interview the candidate for this profile.