Capitol Weekly’s Top 100: Lynn Valbuena

77. Lynn Valbuena

When it comes to powerbrokers in California’s tribal community, there is no overlooking Lynn “Nay” Valbuena, the chairwoman of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, one of the tribes at the center of last year’s ballot measure fight to stop sports betting from coming to the Golden State. For decades, Valbuena has held numerous elected and appointed positions within San Manuel’s tribal government. She was the tribe’s first housing commissioner and held several officer positions on the Tribal Council. She is now serving her fifth term as tribal chair. She also serves as the chair of the Tribal Alliance of Sovereign Indian Nations, a position she’s held for nearly three decades. Previously, she served as vice chairwoman of the California Nations Indian Gaming Association, secretary for the National Indian Gaming Association, as a delegate to the National Congress of American Indians and as a trustee for the National Museum of the American Indian, which is part of the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.

Updated Aug. 15, 2023