A chat with political strategist Kelly Calkin

CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: Kelly Calkin heads Calkin Public Affairs, a Sacramento-based firm that advises some of the biggest names in California politics. Calkin has a different background from many of his public affairs colleagues – he cut his teeth working for Labor, first at the California Building and Construction Trades State Council then for the California Professional Firefighters. Later stints with the Personal Insurance Federation of California and PG&E broadened his portfolio and gave him a look at the “business” side of doing business in California. He launched CPA thirteen years ago, but “refreshed” and expanded the firm in 2025. He joined us to talk about his career, how government affairs has changed, and his approach to making things happen in California. Plus, as always, we tell you who had the Worst Week in California Politics.

:46 Props to California

6:40 Legislation wrap-up

7:11 The effort to reintroduce Grizzly Bears

10:00 Swim California

11:43 NIL legislation

13:20 Kelly Calkin

14:40 Starting with Labor

19:30 To California Professional Firefighters

22:11 “Can i staff the BBQ?”

23:11 Why the reorganization?

26:53 Authenticity

29:45 How to present

36:26 Lobbying vs. Public Affairs

39:03 When a client isn’t a good fit

41:45 #WWCA