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Capitol Weekly’s Top 100: Ann Patterson

2. Ann Patterson

Patterson spent her first few years in the governor’s office as his legal secretary. It was rough timing as the state faced an almost overwhelming number of thorny issues, from U.S. Supreme Court rulings on guns and abortion to ongoing legal snarls with PG&E. She clearly proved her worth to Newsom, who named her acting Cabinet Secretary last summer when Ana Matosantos left the administration. By fall Patterson had the permanent job. Titles are not always a good indicator of who does what in Newsomland, so it’s hard to say how much legal advice she offers him these days. What we are sure of is that she has become one of his top advisors on multiple issues, is deeply involved in strategizing on most of them, and he listens to her. Speaking of PG&E, there are those who think she and the governor both have been a little too lenient on the utility, and she drew intense criticism from victims when she appeared at one of the company’s events in June, where she referred to the utility as “a good partner.” How that plays out going forward is yet to be seen, but there seems to be little doubt of her place in the governor’s inner circle.

Updated Aug. 15, 2023

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