Illustration by Chris Shary53. Juan Rodriguez
The Bearstar Strategies trio of Rodriguez, Sean Clegg and Ace Smith have all been individual regulars on this list. Last year we had them as a unit, a three-headed Hydra if you will, but this time we’re focusing on Rodriguez in deference to his leadership on the campaign to thwart
Illustration by Chris Shary86. 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
Illustration by Chris Shary92. Scott Rodd
In just over two years covering politics at the Capitol, Scott Rodd’s work has shown that he and his employers at Sacramento’s Capital Public Radio won’t settle for pedestrian daily coverage. Rodd’s investigation into California’s failed wildfire prevention efforts led to a $500 million increase in this year’s state budget— not bad for
Illustration by Chris Shary29. Kristin Bertolina Faust
If Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis becomes Treasurer Eleni Kounalakis in 2026, Kristin Bertolina Faust will have certainly played a big role in the victory. A major fundraiser for Kamala Harris – she was the Vice President’s fundraising co-chair, helping the campaign raise a record $1 billion in just over 100 days
Illustration by Chris Shary50. Mandy Isaacs-Lee
Ask anyone in the Capitol who they think is a force and it is almost a sure thing that Mandy Isaacs-Lee’s name will come up. As well it should. She is the Founder and Principal of Omni Government Relations, a boutique firm with big clients like AT&T, Kaiser Permanente, CVSHealth and the
Illustration by Chris Shary100: Alexei Koseff
Fodder for national pundits, ambitious Republicans and a Saturday Night Live skit, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s attendance at a maskless birthday party for lobbyist Jason Kinney (see No. 65) at The French Laundry was the game-changing California politics story of 2020, thanks to San Francisco Chronicle reporter Alexei Koseff. It provided fuel
An officer exits his vehicle prior to conducting a search in Ventura. (Photo: Glenn Highcove, via Shutterstock)ANALYSIS: In late July, the Office of the Attorney General released Homicide in California 2020, its annual report on the state’s murders. Media outlets in California and elsewhere quickly covered the report. The story, targeting a “31 percent increase in murders, the most in 13 years,” was reported by a variety of news organizations.
Gov. Gavin Newsom at an environmental cleanup even in Long Beach on Aug. 5.(Photo: Howard Freshman)ANALYSIS: We’re headed for another recall election, the first in nearly 20 years. A lot of things have changed, including the number of voters who will be casting their ballots by mail. Looking back at 2003, there were only 3 million voters who received their ballots in the mail. This cycle, all 22 million voters are getting their ballots in the mail, and we’re likely to see the vast majority of those cast by mail prior to Election Day.
A sign in Yorba Linda advocating Gov. Gavin Newsom's recall. (Photo: Matt Gush.)Deeply divided California voters will go to the polls on Sept. 14 — earlier, if they vote by mail — to decide whether Gov. Gavin Newsom should be recalled and who should replace him. The polls are tight. A July 24-27 poll from the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies has 47 percent of those most likely to vote wanting to boot Newsom out of office, while 50 percent want to retain him. So what helps Newsom and what doesn’t?
Allen Zaremberg, president and CEO of the California Chamber of Commerce, on Monday announced his retirement. (Photo: Cal Chamber file)Allan Zaremberg, the top executive at the California Chamber of Commerce for more than two decades, announced Monday he was stepping down. He is expected to stay in place through the end of the year.