James Siva. Illustration by Chris Shary for Capitol Weekly.52. James Siva
Siva is the vice chairman of the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, the owners and operators of the towering Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa north of Palm Springs, and the chairman of the California Nations Indian Gaming Association, the nonprofit that represents the combined political might of California’s gaming tribes. He’s a
Taryn Luna. Illustration by Chris Shary for Capitol Weekly.98. Taryn Luna
No conversation about who might be the best reporter covering the Capitol is complete without mentioning Los Angeles Times reporter Taryn Luna. With her scoops, insightful analysis and obvious deep sourcing, Luna is widely respected both inside the building and out. She joined the Sacramento press corps in 2016 when she started
Greg Totten. Illustration by Chris Shary for Capitol Weekly.49. Greg Totten
As the CEO of the California District Attorneys Association, Greg Totten may be one of the most consequential names on this year’s list. The DAs, of course, have been on a mission to reform Proposition 47 and Totten in particular has resisted any efforts by Gov. Newsom and the Democrats to keep
Laiza Negrete. Illustration by Chris Shary for Capitol Weekly.42. Laiza Negrete
For years Laiza Negrete has been content to mostly fly under the radar. But as the head of the California Association of Realtors political action committee and the organization’s top political strategist, she is without question a major player in California policymaking. For one, her organization has a lot of members –
Rachel Michelin. Illustration by Chris Shary for Capitol Weekly.58. Rachel Michelin
When Rachel Michelin got to the California Retailers Association in 2019, it frankly was a mess. That is definitely not the case anymore. Michelin has steadied the organization, making it a force again in the Capitol. This year she has been instrumental in helping to shape legislation and policy proposals aimed at
Christine Aurre. Illustration by Chris Shary for Capitol Weekly.25. Christine Aurre
Christina Aurre is another of those folks inside the walls of Castle Gavin that serve any number of purposes, depending on the issue of the day. Previously a staffer for lawmakers Patrick O’Donnell and then-Senate Majority Leader Robert Hertzberg, Aurre’s drive, intelligence and policy expertise have made her another razor sharp blade
Myesha Jackson. Illustration by Chris Shary for Capitol Weekly.32. Myesha Jackson
The Capitol might have more than its share of loud voices and shameless self-promoters, but the soft spoken and even-keeled Myesha Jackson, Policy Director for Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, is definitely neither of those. She is, however, one of the Capitol’s most indispensable aides, recognized by everyone for her seemingly endless knowledge
Jamie Callahan. Illustration by Chris Shary for Capitol Weekly.23. Jamie Callahan
Last time in this space we compared Senior Counselor and Deputy Chief of Staff Jamie Callahan – then a relative newbie in the enchanted land of Newsomworld – to a utility infielder for those great Yankees teams of Maris and Mantle. To stick with the baseball analogy, it looks like the horseshoe
Illustration by Chris Shary, for Capitol Weekly95. Rebecca Wachsberg
Nobody would probably like to put “herder of the cats” on their resume, but as sources inside the Capitol told us, that could aptly describe one of the many vital things Rebecca Wachsberg does. Formally, she is chief of staff to Sen. Mike McGuire, whose boundless 24/7 Energizer Bunny disposition – and
Illustration by Chris Shary, for Capitol Weekly72. Sue Parker
Breaking barriers isn’t new to Sue Parker, the Chief Clerk of the Assembly. In 2020, she became the first woman to ever hold that position in California, and previous to that she was the first female to be the Assistant Chief Clerk. Before that, she was the Assembly’s first female Reading Clerk.