Capitol Weekly’s Top 100: Margie Estrada

95. Margie Estrada

Margie Estrada may or may not someday make it into the Capitol Weekly Top 100 Hall of Fame. But she has been compared to one of its newest members, the estimable Kip Lipper. Now that is some pretty high praise, but anyone familiar with her work knows she has earned the comparison. She is, simply put, the legislature’s expert on the law, which gives her tremendous influence a broad array of issues. A former principal consultant to previous pro Tems Darrell Steinberg and Kevin de León, Estrada is widely respected for her understanding of the legislative process and is firm about what will and will not pass through her committee. And while the Budget and Appropriations Committees get all the ink from our esteemed colleagues in the media, lawmakers know the Judiciary Committees are just as important. As with most good staff consultants, Estrada goes out of her way to stay out of our – meaning reporters – way. Sorry, Margie, but we have outed you. Now everyone knowns how much oomph you carry in the building.

Updated Aug. 26, 2025