Capitol Weekly’s Top 100: Viviana Becerra

28. Viviana Becerra

Viviana Becerra, Attorney General Rob Bonta’s chief of staff, effectively runs the California Department of Justice. In her role, she oversees the Office of Communications, Office of Native American Affairs, Office of External Affairs, Community Awareness, Response, and Engagement Team, and the Office of Legislative Affairs. Oh and she’s also the AG’s conduit to the governor’s office. So it’s not at all a stretch to say the state could have been in for some rough times when Becerra went on maternity leave this past year. But, in a testament to her dedication, Becerra has remained involved in all of Bonta’s major decisions even while she’s taking a well-deserved break. Becerra is a Sacramento native and the daughter of Mexican immigrants, with a bachelor’s in political science from UC Santa Barbara. She’s been with Bonta since his days in the Assembly. Don’t be surprised if – when? – she someday follows her ever-ambitious boss to the governor’s office.

Updated Aug. 7, 2024