Capitol Weekly’s Top 100: Sean Clegg

No. 24  Sean Clegg

Clegg is a founding partner in Bearstar (then SCN) and one of the few folks out there who can rival Ace Smith as a political consultant. His client list is as notable as any – Newsom, Harris, Padilla, Boxer, Becerra, yada, yada, yada – and he has handled more ballot measures and issue campaigns than probably even he can recall. His specialty is media strategy, from TV to direct mail, but his political acumen is far broader than that. He continues to advise the Newsom folks, has served as an advisor and Deputy Mayor to former LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and worked as a Senate staffer in D.C.. Alas, he too has a major biff on the record this year. As part of Bearstar, Clegg too was initially on board with Swalwell when the former congressman was flying high. But then, so were a lot of smart people.

Updated Aug. 11, 2026