Capitol Weekly’s Top 100: Jacob Mejia

86. Jacob Mejia

Jacob Mejia is one of the most prominent voices for California’s tribal communities. As Public Affairs Director for the Pechanga Band of Indians, he frequently speaks to the press and public about tribal sovereignty and gaming issues, and he was particularly involved in the 2022 fight to keep sports betting out of the Golden State. For more than 25 years, he’s served as Executive Director of the Tribal Alliance of Sovereign Indian Nations or TASIN, an association of federally recognized tribal governments in Southern California, which he’s grown into a leading voice in California advocating for tribal rights. As such, he is one of just a handful of significant conduits between tribes and lawmakers, and his influence can be felt on every piece of legislation impacting tribes. Known for being approachable and easy to work with, Mejia also serves on the board of Open California, the nonprofit publisher of Capitol Weekly.

Updated Aug. 26, 2025