Capitol Weekly’s Top 100: Courtni Pugh

93. Courtni Pugh

Longtime campaign consultant Courtni Pugh’s track record tends to run hot and cold, but she is never far from the action. She was a key figure in defeating the 2021 recall effort against Gavin Newsom, and regularly helps manage his other in-state campaigns, like this year’s Prop. 1. Pugh has also been a top consultant for numerous other statewide ballot campaigns, including another Prop. 1, 2022’s measure to enshrine abortion rights into the state constitution. She’s also had her share of ignominious defeats, most notably tied to Kevin de Léon’s failed runs at the U.S. Senate and the 
Los Angeles mayor’s office. But she is a widely respected strategist and coalition builder who is strongly connected with just about every important Democratic figure in the country, from Newsom to Rob Bonta to Kamala Harris to Joe Biden. She is also deeply rooted in the Latino and AAPI communities. Pugh is a partner in Hilltop Public Solutions.

Updated Aug. 7, 2024