Capitol Weekly’s Top 100: Steve O’Mara

No. 21 Steve O’Mara

Steve O’Mara is another of those quiet folks who just gets things done behind the scenes. Some observers call him a “policy and political smarty pants,” though we doubt that is on his CV. A well-known team builder and a genuinely nice guy, he also has nerves of steel, critical for anyone looking to thrive in an office where the actual boss might not always be the one right in front of you. O’Mara was Robert Rivas’ first Chief of Staff, and his solid relationship with the Democratic Caucus was instrumental in helping his boss get the votes needed to usurp former Speaker Anthony Rendon a few years later. He has since helped Rivas get some of his most important measures across the finish line – think Rivas’ farmworker package and the Golden State Teacher Grant program – making him the Speaker’s most trusted ally not named Rick. O’Mara suffered a traumatic brain injury in 2019, leading to a long medical leave. He roared back into the building in 2022 and went on to serve as Political Director for the Speaker and Assembly Democrats in 2023.