Capitol Weekly’s Top 100: Susannah Delano

95. Susannah Delano

Politics has always been a bare knuckle game, maybe never more so than right now. The relentless hyperpartisanship, the long hours, public scrutiny and time away from family – not to mention online abuse and the increasing threats of violence – have convinced many potential candidates to forgo seeking office. This has been particularly true for women, who have long had to deal with questions and judgements about running for office that men almost never face. For many women, it just isn’t worth it. So then how do you explain the success of Close the Gap California Executive Director Susannah Delano, who has played a major role in recruiting so many qualified progressive women to run that California has gone from 19th in women’s representation in state legislatures to 4th, including having a female majority in the Senate? Delano is loath to take the credit for Close the Gap’s success, but she is the organization’s heart, soul and driving force. Women are on pace to achieve a majority in the Legislature by 2028. If they do, she will be a huge reason why.

Updated Aug. 11, 2026.