Chris Hannan. Illustration by Chris Shary for Capitol Weekly.73. Chris Hannan
Chris Hannan is about a year into his new job as the president of the State Building and Construction Trades Council, having replaced former president Andrew Meredith, who replaced the legendary Robbie Hunter, who replaced the legendary Bob Balgenorth. (Can you say “big shoes?”) The council is the largest construction trades council
Larisa Cespedes. Illustration by Chris Shary for Capitol Weekly.91. Larisa Cespedes
Larisa Cespedes is a partner at Miller, Cespedes & Associates, one of Sacramento’s smaller (and newer) lobbying firms, but no less mighty or influential. The firm of just three lobbyists, which billed nearly $3.24 million over the first 15 months of the legislative cycle, represents some big hitters, including Estee Lauder, FedEx,
Ramona Prieto. Illustration by Chris Shary for Capitol Weekly.43. Ramona Prieto
Uber also has a lot of money to spend, and Ramona “Monie” Prieto is the person they trust to spend it wisely. Prieto is officially Uber’s head of public policy and communications for the western region, but in that role she also controls the company’s independent expenditures through its Uber Innovation PAC.
Laiza Negrete. Illustration by Chris Shary for Capitol Weekly.42. Laiza Negrete
For years Laiza Negrete has been content to mostly fly under the radar. But as the head of the California Association of Realtors political action committee and the organization’s top political strategist, she is without question a major player in California policymaking. For one, her organization has a lot of members –
Rachel Michelin. Illustration by Chris Shary for Capitol Weekly.58. Rachel Michelin
When Rachel Michelin got to the California Retailers Association in 2019, it frankly was a mess. That is definitely not the case anymore. Michelin has steadied the organization, making it a force again in the Capitol. This year she has been instrumental in helping to shape legislation and policy proposals aimed at
Image by Arseniy45Special interest groups, AKA “lobbyist employers,” paid lobbying firms more than $82 million to lobby members of California’s state government in the second quarter of 2024, according to a Capitol Weekly analysis of lobbying firm reports.
Christine Aurre. Illustration by Chris Shary for Capitol Weekly.23. Christine Aurre
When Christy Bouma stepped down in March as Newsom’s legislative affairs secretary, her replacement might have been unfamiliar to folks outside the Capitol. But inside Newsomworld, Christine Aurre was 100 percent a known quantity. Previously a staffer for lawmakers Patrick O’Donnell and then-Senate Majority Leader Robert Hertzberg, Aurre was already serving as
Myesha Jackson. Illustration by Chris Shary for Capitol Weekly.24. Myesha Jackson
There was a TV commercial back in the day that went like this: “When E.F. Hutton talks, people listen.” The same thing can be said of Myesha Jackson, policy director for Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas. If it is a policy issue, be it a question from a reporter or a lawmaker or
Oscar Lopez. Illustration by Chris Shary for Capitol Weekly.38. Oscar Lopez
Tia Orr and Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher understandably get most of the notoriety for labor’s big wins of late, but insiders know that SEIU state political director Oscar Lopez deserves a lot of that credit as well. In that role he heads up all of the union’s ballot measures and political campaigns, coordinates
Tony Bui. Illustration by Chris Shary for Capitol Weekly.41. Tony Bui
A V.P. with the California Apartment Association, Tony Bui has rapidly earned a reputation as a lobbyist to be reckoned with both for his ability to build key relationships and as the point person in all the group’s independent expenditures. And make no mistake, the CAA is writing some big checks these