Illustration by Chris Shary100. Thelton Henderson
When U.S. District Court Judge Thelton E. Henderson retired this month, he left a mark on California government that can be matched by few, if any, individuals. Henderson was the prime mover in reducing California’s prison population. In a ruling upheld by the U.S Supreme Court, Henderson found in 2011 that California’s
Illustration by Chris Shary99. Laura Mahoney
Only one reporter got a 48-hour heads-up on the deal to dismantle the nation’s only elected tax board. And Laura Mahoney, current president of the Sacramento Press Club, certainly earned that scoop. The longest-serving member of the capitol press corps that you’ve never heard of, Mahoney has spent 20 years on the Board of Equalization beat
Illustration by Chris Shary98. Michael Mantell
Michael Mantell is president of the Resources Legacy Fund, which directs funding and administers initiatives for individual donors and environmentally-minded philanthropic foundations, including the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, with significant results. Mantell, a former California state undersecretary for Resources for Republican Gov. Pete Wilson, founded the RLF as a way to
Illustration by Chris Shary92. Rob Stutzman
Longtime campaign consultant Rob Stutzman is a charter member of the “Never Trump” wing of the Republican Party, much more Meg Whitman than Larry Elder. Opposing current Republican orthodoxy has probably cost him business from the right wing of the party, but his services remain in demand from more moderate conservatives who
Illustration by Chris Shary88. John Garcia
Founded in California in 1945, Kaiser Permanente is a massive player in California health care, serving nearly 10 million members through 532 medical facilities, and a network of 16,000 physicians and 149,000 employees. As vice president for Kaiser Permanente in Sacramento, Garcia lobbies for a far-flung medical organization made up of Kaiser
Illustration by Chris Shary83. Carolyn McIntyre
One out of every two California households subscribes to cable television. Carolyn McIntyre, president of the California Cable & Telecommunications Association says that’s just the beginning. McIntyre has a double-barreled job as the association’s manager and lobbyist. She is used to handling challenges – before joining CCTA, she was regional vice president
Illustration by Chris Shary66. Fabian Núñez
We never quite know what to do with former Assembly speakers, but as far as this list goes, it’s an easy call: Fabián Núñez, an author of California’s landmark anti-pollution law, AB 32, runs the local office of Mercury Public Affairs, and that means he’s a potent force in California politics. He knows the Capitol,
Illustration by Chris Shary81. Jack Ainsworth
Since the abrupt and contentious firing of former executive director Charles Lester last February, the Coastal Commission has been in transition. While the drama – and the year it took the commission to officially name Ainsworth as Lester’s successor – didn’t make for the most auspicious shift in power, Ainsworth is moving
Illustration by Chris Shary47. Henry Perea
Henry Perea handles West Coast Government Affairs for Chevron, which means he supervises the company’s lobbying efforts, which are extensive. Perea, a former lawmaker, is based in Sacramento, but his territory his vast and he is considered a significant power player in the capitol, where fossil-fuel producers aren’t always treated gently. Perea,
Illustration by Chris Shary46. Bill Wong
The pandemic has affected us all, but for Bill Wong, it’s been particularly difficult: Hate crimes targeting Asian Americans grew exponentially during COVID-19, and the trend appears to be continuing. Wong, who successfully worked on legislation to deal with the issue, is the Democrats’ top political strategist for the Asian American community, and