Capitol Weekly’s Top 100: Jim DeBoo

8: Jim DeBoo

Jim DeBoo was once Gov. Newsom’s chief of staff, a position which garnered him the top spot on this list in 2021 and 2022 and number three last year. He no longer holds that august title, but he still wields substantial influence not only in Newsom’s orbit but across all of California politics. Officially, he runs a consulting firm, DeBoo Strategic Affairs. But that’s only part of the story. He is also something of a consigliere for the governor, running interference on disputes, gathering intel, making connections in the legislative branch and among the third house. He knows the great game of California politics as well as anyone and is almost universally trusted in Newsomworld and well beyond. DeBoo’s network is expansive, and he influences the process with a deft touch rooted in personal integrity, not always something in abundance in politics. Not surprisingly, he is a mentor to many of the younger people on this list.
Full disclosure: he’s also now on the board of 
Open California, publisher of Capitol Weekly.

Updated Aug. 7, 2024