Capitol Weekly’s Top 100: Jim DeBoo

9. Jim DeBoo

One of Newsom’s small army of former chiefs, Jim DeBoo continues to influence public policy from his consulting firm, DeBoo Strategic Affairs, thanks to the respect he continues to wield within the governor’s orbit. In fact, you could argue he never really left Newsom, as he still acts as a sort of consigliere for the governor, running interference on disputes, gathering information and making connections within both the Legislature and third house. And don’t presume he won’t ever come back to whatever we call the governor’s domain now that the Horseshoe is rubble. Don’t tempt him! Anyway, he has also been the top consultant on several high stakes ballot measures (think last year’s Prop. 33 and 34 in particular), and undoubtedly will be in the future. He is also something of a godfather figure to a whole generation of young and upcoming lobbyists and strategists making their mark around the Capitol. His rolodex is deep, his touch deft and he acts with an integrity not often found in the cutthroat world of politics. We should note that he too is on the board of Open California.

Updated Aug. 26, 2025