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The headquarters for the California State Association of Counties is inside a historic building at 1100 K Street, photographed on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. The organization\u2019s CEO is stepping down after being placed on administrative leave.<\/p>\n
HECTOR AMEZCUA<\/p>\n
hamezcua@sacbee.com<\/p>\n
The leader of the organization that advocates on behalf of California\u2019s 58 counties \u2014 who was recently placed on administrative leave<\/a> \u2014 is stepping down.<\/p>\n Graham Knaus said in a statement Friday that it was \u201ctime for me to restore balance in my life.\u201d He had led the California State Association of Counties since 2018.<\/p>\n Knaus did not say why he was put on leave, which he said began Oct. 16, and declined to discuss details with The Sacramento Bee.<\/p>\n \u201cEvolving our advocacy and public affairs to combat powerful monied interests does not come free,\u201d Knaus said in his statement. \u201cIt comes with becoming a target for individuals protecting their money and power through defamatory accusations.\u201d<\/p>\n His salary was more than $468,000 in 2025, according to a tax filing<\/a>. He also earned an estimated $200,305 in other compensation from the association and related organizations, the filing said.<\/p>\n The association\u2019s president, Santa Clara County Supervisor Susan Ellenberg, would only say Knaus\u2019 leave was related to \u201cconfidential personnel-related matters\u201d and that the organization was bringing in outside legal counsel to conduct an investigation.<\/p>\n A spokesperson for the organization said it nothing further to add as of Friday evening.<\/p>\n The association advocates on behalf of counties at the state and federal levels and Knaus was frequently outspoken on issues involving California\u2019s budget, health care and homelessness.<\/p>\n \u201cIt has been the privilege of my career to lead this organization and represent it publicly,\u201d he said. \u201cTogether, we have reimagined what an effective association can be: in our culture, our advocacy, our public affairs, the way we engage with county leaders and the building we call home.\u201d<\/p>\n Ellenberg said board members are overseeing the organization while it does not have a chief executive.<\/p>\n This story was originally published October 23, 2026 at 5:57 PM.<\/p>\n Related Stories from Sacramento Bee<\/p>\n
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