Illustration by Chris Shary88. David Lesher
The nonprofit news and commentary website CalMatters is an expanding and influential observer of California politics and public policy headed by Editor David Lesher, a veteran newsman. The staff has grown to more than two dozen, and is expanding as funding becomes more secure. It already is the largest Capitol bureau, replete
Illustration by Chris Shary8: 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
Illustration by Chris Shary85. Scott Day
Scott Day is the associate executive director of the politically powerful California Teachers Association, which translates into being the point man for the CTA in the Capitol and coordinator of their lobbying and strategy efforts. That title was held for years by Joe Nuñez (No. 16), who has since moved on to
Illustration by Chris Shary83. Ace Smith
Ace Smith is one of the best in the biz – if your business is electoral politics. Smith is a 30-year veteran of state and national campaigns, and has worked for household names like Clinton (both of them), Feinstein, and Brown (Jerry). The other Brown, Willie, once called Smith the “Dems’ ace in
Illustration by Chris Shary83. Cesar Diaz
Pretty much everyone agrees: California’s pothole-riddled infrastructure needs fixing. And one of the leaders of the fix-it charge is Cesar Diaz, the longtime legislative and political director of the California Building and Construction Trades Council. California’s Council can trace its roots back to County Limerick in 19th-Century Ireland, where a Catholic Bishop of
Illustration by Chris Shary12. Camille Wagner
Camille Wagner is Gov. Brown’s legislative secretary, which means she’s usually in a fight and usually successful. Part of her job is to push Brown’s policy and political agenda through a balky Legislature while heading off the legislation he opposes. That may sound easy, but it’s not. She’s steeped in policy, but
Illustration by Chris Shary73: Marty Wilson
Marty Wilson’s lofty official title is executive vice president of public affairs for the California Chamber of Commerce. But the big piece of that is politics as much as public affairs. Wilson played key roles in Pete Wilson’s campaigns for governor and U.S. Senate, and he’s worked in public and private communications.
Illustration by Chris Shary25: Carmela Coyle
The president and CEO of the California Hospital Association, Carmela Coyle is at the forefront of the fight for better medical care in the Golden State, battling against hospital closures and increased costs and attempting to address the state’s perpetual lack of health care workers. Recently, the CHA took its advocacy to
Illustration by Chris Shary63: David Townsend
For more than 35 years, David Townsend has been a fixture on the Capitol scene, managing initiative campaigns and advising associations, candidates and corporations on the ins and outs of political decision-making. He founded Townsend Raimundo Besler & Usher, one of Sacramento’s best-known political consulting firms, and now he’s got a new gig
Illustration by Chris Shary42. Diane Griffiths
When Toni Atkins took over as Senate leader, she brought with her a number of staffers and she even wheedled at least one out of retirement – Diane Griffiths. Griffiths had retired in June 2017 after serving as chief of staff to Sen. Bob Hertzberg; earlier, she served as Hertzberg’s chief of staff