No. 5: Capitol Weekly’s Top 100

5. Mona Pasquil

Want to work in Gov. Jerry Brown’s administration? Well, there’s only a few months left to take your shot. To score a last-minute gig with California’s longest-tenured governor, you’ll have to go through Simeona Fortunata “Mona” Pasquil. Pasquil, the governor’s appointments secretary, handles recruiting and background checks for Gov. Brown — key administrative duties that don’t get the same public recognition as other essential responsibilities but represent the crucial underpinning of the administration. She’s got solid political chops and administrative skills, necessary qualities to sift through potential employees. Pasquil, a lifelong Democrat, served in an array of posts, including as the political director for both Gov. Gray Davis and U.S. Sen. John Kerry, and staffed Clinton White House’s Office of Public Affairs. In 2009, she briefly served as lieutenant governor — becoming California’s first Asian and female lieutenant governor — after her boss, John Garamendi resigned to go to Congress in what was an uncommon moment in the spotlight for the longtime political backdrop operator. Pasquil also has also been a top-drawer fundraiser.

Updated Aug. 15, 2018