Claire Conlon: Around the world and back again

CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: Claire Conlon got her start in the capitol as a legislative aide in 2011, and has held a wide variety of roles since, including Press Secretary for Senate leader Kevin de León and Chief of Staff to Asm. Cottie Petrie-Norris. While building that impressive resume, she did something unusual: she left. In 2017 Conlon left the capitol, the state, and eventually the country, traveling the world for a full year – job title “Vagabond” on her Linkedin. Returning to the state in 2018, she picked up where she had left off. In 2023, she left the capitol again – She is currently the Senior Director of State Government Affairs for Biocom California, where she manages and implements their state legislative policy agenda.

Claire shared stories from her capitol journey and other travels, offers advice for new legislators, and talks about her new role in California’s second largest industry. Plus – Who had the Worst Week in CA Politics?

1:11 First time on a podcast!

3:55 What was it like to be a Press Sec. for a Legislative leader?

4:15 Dee Dee Myers shout-out

5:21 Origin story

9:12 From school to the capitol

11:40 Around the world

15:33 What did the trip change for you?

18:06 Advice for new legislators

20:37 Thoughts on gender parity in the Senate

21:43 New role at Biocom

23:02 Second-largest industry in California

24:14 St. Patrick’s Day dancers at the capitol

25:27 Favorite state capitol?

26:38 Hot topics: Drug affordability and access

29:38 #WWCA