Greg Totten. Illustration by Chris Shary for Capitol Weekly.49. Greg Totten
As the CEO of the California District Attorneys Association, Greg Totten may be one of the most consequential names on this year’s list. The DAs, of course, have been on a mission to reform Proposition 47 and
Chris Hannan. Illustration by Chris Shary for Capitol Weekly.44. Chris Hannan
The State Building and Construction Trades Council is one of the biggest players in California politics (i.e., they spend a lot of money around the Capitol), particularly when it comes to housing policy, and Chris Hannan is
Larisa Cespedes. Illustration by Chris Shary for Capitol Weekly.90. Larisa Cespedes
Larisa Cespedes is a partner at Miller, Cespedes & Associates (MCA), another one of Sacramento’s small-but-mighty boutique lobbying firms. MCA employs just three lobbyists but manages to represent 25 clients, including such big names as the American
Ramona Prieto. Illustration by Chris Shary for Capitol Weekly.40. Ramona Prieto
Ramona “Monie” Prieto leads Uber’s political efforts in California, and while she’s lesser known than others on this list, her influence is not to be underestimated. As the rideshare giant’s Head of Public Policy & Communications, Western
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
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
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.25. Christine Aurre
Christina Aurre is another of those folks inside the walls of Castle Gavin that serve any number of purposes, depending on the issue of the day. Previously a staffer for lawmakers Patrick O’Donnell and then-Senate Majority Leader
Myesha Jackson. Illustration by Chris Shary for Capitol Weekly.32. Myesha Jackson
The Capitol might have more than its share of loud voices and shameless self-promoters, but the soft spoken and even-keeled Myesha Jackson, Policy Director for Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, is definitely neither of those. She is, however,
Oscar Lopez. Illustration by Chris Shary for Capitol Weekly.58. Oscar Lopez
SEIU Political Director Oscar Lopez is used to being in the shadow of some of the far more public figures in Big Labor. But don’t sleep on him, because everyone at SEIU from Tia Orr on down