Capitol Weekly’s Top 100: Jason Elliot

No. 33 Jason Elliott

Jason Elliott is kind of like Ann Patterson. Like her, he is one of Gavin Newsom’s longest-affiliated and most trusted allies and consultants. And like Ann, no matter how many times he looks to leave the inner workings of Newsomworld behind he just can’t seem to really get away. It’s understandable because Elliott has been working alongside Newsom since the governor’s mayoral days in SF, and there are not very many folks Newsom trusts more regardless of the issue. During his time in Newsomworld, Elliott was one of several members of the governor’s Swiss army knife brigade, by title the Deputy Chief of Staff but really Newsom’s eyes and ears on everything from housing and the budget to artificial intelligence, land use and political campaigns. He even helped write Newsom’s speeches. He left to start his own consulting firm in 2024, but his role advising Newsom has never stopped. And in May Newsom named Elliott to the California High Speed Rail Authority board of directors. Elliott also previously served as Chief of Staff to San Francisco Mayors Ed Lee and London Breed.

Updated Aug. 11, 2026