Capitol Weekly’s Top 100: Jim DeBoo

No. 6 Jim DeBoo

Jim DeBoo might not be the governor’s Chief of Staff any longer, but his seat in Newsomworld never gets cold. He in fact continues to influence a wide range of policy issues from his consulting firm, DeBoo Strategic Affairs, though not all of it strictly at the behest of his former boss. Although he remains involved in much of the governor’s agenda, DeBoo spent the bulk of his time and energy this year smack in the middle of a variety of campaigns, from Prop. 50 to the No on Tom Steyer independent expenditure. And even in those he doesn’t outright run he is still in the secondary position, including bids to massively overhaul CEQA (ongoing) and the deal cut between Uber and the consumer attorneys. Not surprisingly he has also been a strong influence on many young and upcoming lobbyists and strategists who are now making big waves in the Capitol community, including several on this list. And that will only continue because while Newsom might be leaving, Jim DeBoo isn’t going anywhere. Note: DeBoo is on the board of Open California, which publishes Capitol Weekly.

Updated Aug. 11, 2026