Capitol Weekly’s Top 100: Ashley Zavala

92. Ashley Zavala

KCRA Political Director Ashley Zavala will be the first to tell you she isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. She’ll also tell you that from childhood she has been one to question authority, which is part and parcel to being a good reporter. Well, she is most definitely a good reporter. Scratch that – she’s great. We once dubbed her the “Oh Shit” reporter because a staffer told us that was their first thought if they stepped out of their office and saw her coming toward them with a camera and a microphone. She is also a fierce fighter for reporters’ access at the Capitol. But that doesn’t begin to fully convey her import on the Capitol media scene. Zavala not only brings the details of the biggest legislative issues to her audience on a daily basis, she now goes even more in depth with her Sunday show, California Politics 360. It is a throwback to the heyday of Sunday political talk shows featuring a Who’s Who from around the Capitol. She might have her critics, but a lot of them sure want to be on her show. ‘Nuff said.

Updated Aug. 11, 2026