CaliforniaInfluencers

alifornia, once a conservative stronghold and the cradle of the Reagan Revolution, has been trending Democratic for years Cnow—and this year it was one of the few states where Demo- crats held their own against the extremely strong national Republican tide. In the top statewide contests, voters decisively chose veteran liberal Democrats Barbara Boxer for senator and Jerry “Moonbeam” Brown for governor over political newcomers who argued that their corporate experience made them ideally suited to guide the state through dire eco- nomic times. Democrats also continue to hold a significant edge in the state’s congressional delegation. While they may tilt to the left on average, successful politi- cians run the gamut from Barbara Lee, the East Bay representative who was the only member of Congress to vote against the 2001 resolution authorizing the use of force in response to the 9/11 attacks, to Devin Nunes, the Central Valley representative who called the Obama admin- istration’s health care reform bill part of a plan to impose a “Socialist utopia” on the American people. Here is our list of the top 100 players in California politics today. TOP 50 Democrats

Jerry Brown staff, helped position Schwarzeneg- state, and his record of victories speaks The governor-elect is an everlasting po- ger for re-election and remains heavily for itself. litical tactician and campaigner. He has involved. held local office, statewide office and Dave Low ran for national office before starting all Eli Broad A powerful lobbyist at the California over again. A real estate developer and School Employees’ Association, he is a philanthropist, Broad is a major donor to resource for those in the labor move- Susan Kennedy Democrats and their causes. ment making decisions about where to Chief of staff to Governor Schwarzeneg- put money in competitive campaigns. ger, former executive director of the Haim Saban Democratic Party and staffer to Dianne The creator of the Power Rangers, Art Pulaski Feinstein, she handles everything that Saban is a former member of the UC Under his leadership the California La- goes through the governor’s office. Board of Regents and a major donor to bor Federation has grown and become the Democratic Party. a more powerful force. She may have just lost the speakership, Richard Blum Doug Herman but she was the first woman elected Blum is Senator ’s hus- A principal in the Strategy Group, Her- to the position and still wields a heavy band. He is an investment banker and man is based out of Los Angeles. He hand back home. a regent of the University of California, has worked on the Obama campaign, and in the past he has served as chair- initiative campaigns and closely with Dianne Feinstein man of its board. Assembly Speaker John Perez. California’s 800-pound gorilla, she is usually the most popular elected official Gale Kaufman Dan Weitzman in the state because of her perfect A fixture in the consulting world of Cali- He is the head fundraiser for Democratic alignment with the California elector- fornia politics, Kaufman has led Demo- leaders in the legislature and has held ate, just left of center. Her support and cratic Caucus campaigns, numerous this position through leadership changes. endorsement is a gift to any politico. proposition campaigns and Bradley for President in 2000. She is also known Alice Huffman Barbara Boxer for being fiercely tough and for rising to Leader of the California NAACP and Considered not as effective as Fein- the top in the male-dominated world of a political consultant, Huffman has stein and not nearly as popular with political consulting. parlayed both positions to create a the general population, but more powerful career for herself. popular among Democrats and an icon Maria Elena Durazo for liberals across the country. What She is head of the Los Angeles County Acosta/Salazar Jesse Helms was for the right, she is Federation of Labor, one of the most Andrew Acosta and Roger Salazar have for the left. powerful interest groups in a Democrat- headed this Democratic consulting firm ic state in the most populous county in for five years now. Before starting the firm, John Perez the country. Durazo took charge of the Acosta worked under Gale Kaufman, and One of several Latino speakers who organization following the death of her Salazar was a spokesperson for President have led the Assembly, Perez is the first husband, Miguel Contreras, who used to Clinton and Governor Davis. openly gay person of color to be elected head the organization. to the body and lead it. Dustin Corcoran John Burton Still in his thirties, Corcoran has risen to Darrell Steinberg A liberal, Burton has nev- the head of the California Medical Asso- The leader of the Senate, he is more er changed his stripes. He has served ciation, a powerful bipartisan organiza- policy focused than political, but when in the California Assembly, Senate and tion. His work for the organization for Steinberg needs to flex his political U.S. House. With decades of politics in over a decade prepared him for the lead muscle in Sacramento he does. his blood he couldn’t just ride off into role and he has hired a strong support- the sunset and currently serves as the ing staff to help guide him. Maria Shriver chair of the state Democratic Party. As California’s first lady she wasn’t Antonio Villaraigosa involved much in the first year of her Parke Skelton The former State Assembly speaker and husband’s tenure as governor, but after A successful campaign consultant and current mayor of Los Angeles has been some significant losses at the ballot progressive Democrat, Skelton has a national representative for Latinos. box, she came in, got involved in hiring elected numerous politicians across the He is in his second term as mayor and

November/December 2010 | Campaigns & Elections 55 CaliforniaInfluencers decided not to run for governor, but just makes day-to-day decisions as Jerry Brown showed, you can always that keep the party in power resurrect yourself. running smoothly.

Bill Lockyer Griffin/Schake A powerful force in California politics Political consultants and com- and the Democratic Party, Lockyer munications experts Chad hasn’t quite made it to the top office— Griffin and Kristina Schake governor—but his name has been men- bring the political, Hollywood tioned often. He served as leader of the and corporate worlds together State Senate for over a decade, moved in their Los Angeles–based to the attorney general’s office and is firm, creating a powerful mix of currently treasurer. influential and wealthy clients.

Josh Pulliam David Binder Another young Democratic consultant Binder is a top pollster and in his thirties, Pulliam got his training consultant in California who with AKPD Media, founded by David was able to move to the nation- Axelrod. He is rising fast in Sacramento, al stage in 2008 as a member and is considered a smart, fresh top-tier of the Obama campaign. consultant. Angelo Tsakopoulos Reed Hastings A major donor to Democratic causes The founder of Netflix, Hastings is a The mayor of San Francisco has had and candidates, Tsakopoulos spent huge donor to education reform issues. some ups and downs, but his star over $10 million the year his business His candidate for state superintendent hasn’t faded. Known across the country partner, , ran for governor. of public instruction lost this year, but for performing gay marriages, he Along with his daughter, Eleni Tsako- his pockets are deep and he is dedi- aborted a run for governor, but jumped poulos Kounalakis, who is ambassador cated to education reform. back into the ring and was just elected to Hungary, he is heavily involved in lieutenant governor. Democratic politics. Anne Gust Not just a behind-the-scenes wife of Gloria Molina Rose Ann DeMaro governor-elect Jerry Brown, Gust has Latinos have seen their political power As executive director of the Califor- taken official roles on his staff. She skyrocket in the last fifteen years. Some nia Nurses Association, DeMaro has was an unpaid advisor in her husband’s have risen and then fallen, but Gloria successfully battled Governor Schwar- attorney general’s office and a senior Molina has remained a steady force. zenegger and helped position the CNA advisor on his gubernatorial campaign. She was the first Latina elected to the as one of the state’s most powerful California Assembly, to the Los Angeles interest groups. Daniel Zingale City Council and to her current position Former chief of staff to Maria Shriver as a Los Angeles County supervisor, Andy Spahn and senior advisor to Schwarzeneg- overseeing a county that has about For years Spahn was the liaison for ger and currently vice president of the the same population as the state of corporate, political and governmental California Endowment, he is still called Michigan. affairs for Spielberg, Katzenberg and upon by his former boss and other Geffen, which led the way for many elected officials for advice. Ace Smith donors in Hollywood. Spahn has since This Bay Area–based Democratic con- gone out on his own, doing the same Lance Olson sultant has worked on numerous cam- type of work for his clients. Olson has been advising Democrats paigns, from ’s presiden- about political law for nearly three tial campaign to those of California’s Karen Skelton/Steve Smith decades. He provides advice on how to two Democratic senators and governors Two principals at Dewey Square with circumvent legal hurdles in fundraising. and Ann Richards. extensive political and campaign experi- ence. Skelton worked for Vice President Bill Lloyd Shawnda Westly and currently works closely on President of SEIU California, Lloyd As executive director of the California projects with First Lady Maria Shriver. heads a labor organization with over Democratic Party, Westly has risen in Smith brings in close ties with labor. 700,000 members that has a major a profession dominated by men and voice in the Democratic Party.

56 Campaigns & Elections | November/December 2010 John Chiang Eliseo Medina Artie Rodriguez In the past, Asians have not wielded Medina serves as the international secre- Rodriguez first became involved with as politically potent a force as Latinos tary-treasurer of SEIU. He has helped make the United Farm Workers in the 1960s. or African Americans, but Chiang is a SEIU the fastest growing union on the West He has been at the helm of the UFW leader in the community and currently Coast and the largest union in California. since 1993. serves as state controller. With Cali- fornia’s ever-increasing diversity, it’s Garry South John Doerr important to have people from different South is a longtime Democratic con- Doerr is a venture capitalist in Silicon backgrounds at the table. sultant in California. He helped elect Valley and a high-profile supporter Gray Davis both lieutenant governor of Democratic causes. He founded Steve Bing and governor and continues to work on TechNet, a lobbying organization for Bing is one of the most publicity-shy statewide campaigns. technology issues. political donors in California, but he has contributed tens of millions of dollars to Steve Maviglio Tom Adams Democratic and liberal causes. A major Democratic communications Tom Adams is head of the California guru in the capitol, Maviglio is someone League of Conservation Voters, an in- Joe Caves the Sacramento press corps rely on for fluential leader in environmental policy Along with Leslie Friedman-Johnson, his the latest political news and spin. and an important player in Democratic partner at Conservation Strategy Group, campaigns. Caves brings the worlds of policy and Joe Nunez politics together to help fund environ- Nunez helps lead the California Teach- mental causes and get public support ers Association, a powerful lobby and for them. force on education, an issue always near and dear to voters’ hearts.

The leadership, staff and members of the California School Employees Association Salute Dave Low for being honored as one of the Top 100 California Influencers Your political and legislative work has helped CSEA build the best union for classified employees nationwide.

AFL-CIO

November/December 2010 | Campaigns & Elections 57 CaliforniaInfluencers

TOP 50 Republicans

Jerry Perenchio Owner of Univision, the largest Spanish- language media network. Perenchio is a major political donor and makes most of his contributions to Republicans.

Donald Bren Chairman of the , Bren is a major donor to Republicans with help from a president of his organiza- tion, Dan Young. He is also a member of the New Majority, a group of wealthy Orange County Republicans focused on fiscal conservatism.

Pete Wilson The former governor, senator and San Di- ego mayor is one of the last Republicans to have held so many offices in Califor- nia. Many Republican leaders and deci- s i o n m a k e r s c o m e f r o m h i s i n n e r c i r c l e .

Meg Whitman She was the Republicans’ great hope to fill a vacancy. He may have just lost Robert Day keep the governor’s office in their col- his race for a full term, but he remains A wealthy businessman and philanthro- umn, the last vestige of their remaining a leader among Latinos, something pist who held numerous fundraisers for power. Though she didn’t win, her deep needed in the Republican Party. former President George W. Bush. pockets could make her a force to be reckoned with in future elections. Renee Croce Allan Zaremberg A top fundraiser, Croce has a successful As leader of the Chamber of Com- Steve Poizner track record of raising money for Pete merce, Zaremberg is focused on Califor- He lost the Republican primary for gov- Wilson and . nia’s business climate. He wields power ernor, but he is one of the few elected not only among Republicans, but also officials in the state and has deep Steve Merksamer among business-friendly Democrats. pockets, so he may be back. The former chief of staff to Governor He never gets involved in divisive social Deukmejian, Merksamer leads one issues. Arnold Schwarzenegger of the most power lobbying firms in He’s a lame duck, but still the highest- Sacramento, but he leaves most of the Bob White ranking Republican in the state and lobbying to his associates. He provides White was chief of staff to Governor his star power will provide him other advice to Republicans on political and Wilson and helped orchestrate Schwar- opportunities in the future. policy matters. zenegger’s victory and then get his team in place. Today he is at the helm Steve Schmidt Jerry Sanders of one of the most powerful lobbying Schmidt helped elect Schwarzenegger In a state where Republican leaders are firms in the state, but he heads it up as governor and was tapped by John Mc- few and far between, Sanders is mayor a consultant, not a lobbyist. Cain to run his presidential campaign. of San Diego, California’s second larg- Following the presidential election, he est city. San Diego provided a launching Jim Brulte came out in support of gay marriage. pad for former Governor Pete Wilson. If The former Republican leader of both Republicans are looking for a statewide the Senate and Assembly, Brulte is Abel Maldonado candidate with executive experience, still called upon for advice by top The current lieutenant governor, ap- Sanders is their man. Republicans. pointed to the job earlier this year to

58 Campaigns & Elections | November/December 2010 George Soares John Kobylt & Ken Chiampou own highly successfully political Most probably don’t know this man, but The two southern California radio hosts website, The Flash Report, where Re- Americans from coast to coast eat the wield arguably as much power as any publicans blog about the issues of the California produce grown across the Republican official. They have sent day and Fleischman frequently breaks state by farmers that he represents in many Republicans running for the hills news about Republican doings before Sacramento. for not toeing the conservative line. journalists.

Frank Schubert Kevin Sloat Tony Russo In a state known as a liberal haven, Kevin Sloat founded his lobbying firm As president of Apex Strategies, Russo Schubert ran a wildly successful come- over ten years ago and is a major player is connected to corporations and pro- from-behind campaign to amend the in Sacramento, representing groups fessional organizations. He got his start constitution to ban gay marriage. ranging from Indian gaming to business. in campaigns and worked for the Irvine Company before opening his own shop. Gerry Parsky Donna Lucas Parsky has held positions in the past One of the top public relations pro- Jeff Randle five Republican administrations. He fessionals in Sacramento, Lucas has Randle has worked his way up the lad- chaired the 2000 and 2004 California worked for governors Deukmejian and der of consulting. He has worked on Bush-Cheney campaigns. Schwarzenegger and has served as gubernatorial campaigns for Pete Wilson chief of staff to First Lady Maria Shriver. and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Rick Claussen Claussen has taken on Democratic Jon Fleischman Rick Caruso groups with initiative campaigns at the A conservative stalwart in an increas- Caruso is a Los Angeles developer and ballot box. He has represented busi- ingly Democratic state, Fleischman donates mostly to Republicans. He is a ness, tort-reform groups and education serves as vice-chair of the California moderate Republican in the mold of the reform groups. Republican Party and also runs his big city Republican businessman who

Congratulations to Frank Schubert For being named one of the top 100 California Influencers

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November/December 2010 | Campaigns & Elections 59 CaliforniaInfluencers

may be interested in running for mayor Kevin McCarthy Bill Hauck of Los Angeles some day. A former Assembly Republican leader and Hauck serves as president of the Cali- the current congressman from Bakers- fornia Business Roundtable, an organi- Adam Mendelsohn field, McCarthy is a political animal. He’s zation that provides leadership on the The former communications director for the co-author of Young Guns along with state’s business climate. He is also a Governor Schwarzenegger, Mendelsohn is two fellow young Republicans in Congress member of the governor’s Commission now a partner at Mercury Public Affairs and and helped recruit candidates across the on the 21st Century Economy. represents the governor on all things political. country in the 2010 election cycle. Jon Coupal Bell, McAndrews, Hiltachk Ron Nehring Coupal is president of the Howard A law firm that helps Republicans Nehring has been chair of the state Re- Jarvis Taxpayers Association, which was comply with political and election laws. publican Party since 2007. He is tasked founded by the author of Proposition Chuck Bell, Colleen McAndrews and with leading the minority party through 13. He is an avid champion of tax cuts. Tom Hiltachk represent and provide fractious debates between conserva- legal advice to the Republican Party. tives and moderates. Joe Rodota Rodota runs his own political research Mark Bogetich Rob Stutzman firm and has worked for President Rea- He headed up a premier opposition Before Stutzman had his own firm gan and governors Wilson and Schwar- research, policy expertise and analysis specializing in communications and zenegger. He put together a fast and firm for over ten years. campaigns, he served as Governor effective policy and research team that Schwarzenegger’s deputy chief of staff helped elect Schwarzenegger during the Sal Russo for communications and co-commu- gubernatorial recall election of 2003. Russo got his start in politics as a vol- nications director for Schwarzenegger unteer on Ronald Reagan’s campaigns during the 2003 recall campaign. Wayne Johnson for California governor. A conservative With over three decades of political stalwart, he has been involved in cam- Tom McClintock consulting experience, Johnson counts paigns across the country and has risen A former state senator from southern numerous Republicans of the Califor- to national prominence this year as a California and candidate for governor nia legislature as clients, along with leader of the Tea Party Express. and current congressman from North- Schwarzenegger and Congressman ern California, McClintock is a go-to McCarthy. Mike Murphy politician for conservative Republicans. Murphy has advised Republicans from John Chambers John McCain to Mitt Romney and Arnold Wilson-Miller CEO of Cisco Systems and a major do- Schwarzenegger to Christine Whitman Marty Wilson and Beth Miller head up this nor, primarily to Republicans, Chambers as well as Fortune 500 companies and premier communications firm in Sacra- served as co-chair of John McCain’s interest groups. He has also built a mento. Wilson has worked for governors presidential bid. career in the entertainment industry as (Pete) Wilson and Schwarzenegger, and a writer and producer. Miller has held communications and political positions across the country.

60 Campaigns & Elections | November/December 2010 Alex Spanos A real estate developer from Stockton, Spanos is a regular contributor to Re- publican candidates and causes.

Russ Gould The current chair of the University of California Board of Regents appointed by Schwarzenegger, Gould leads a body that deals with a range of political issues relating to education while over- seeing the best public university system in the world.

Fred Davis A paid media consultant, Davis has made ads for Republicans across the country from his office in the Hollywood Hills. He got his start in Republican politics by helping save the U.S. Senate campaign of his uncle, Jim Inhofe.

Joel Fox Fox worked for the Howard Jarvis Liz Snow Rex Frazier Taxpayers Association for nearly twenty The president and CEO of the California Frazier serves as head of the Personal years, establishing himself as an expert Building Industry Association, Snow Insurance Federation of California. He on tax policies and an advocate for brings years of experience from her represents insurance companies across business. He is one of the founders of prior position as chief strategy officer the state and is able to direct their the blog Fox and Hounds Daily. for the California Dental Association, money to campaigns. where she directed political activities. Deborah Gonzalez Jack Flanigan Gonzalez parlayed her experience work- Jeff Miller A member of the influential Flanigan ing for Republican leaders in the legis- Miller, a partner at the lobbying firm family, Jack is a principal at California lature into a position with the California Capitol Advocacy, is finance chair of the Strategies, former VP at the Irvine Com- Dental Association, making decisions state Republican Party and co-finance pany and got his start with Pete Wilson for the organization’s powerful PAC. chair of the Republican Governors As- in San Diego. sociation.

Miscellaneous

Public Policy Institute of California California Target Book Center for Governmental Studies A non-partisan think tank headed by A go-to guide for California’s congres- A non-partisan organization fighting for Mark Baldassare, who also leads its sional and legislative races published government reform for over 25 years. survey operation. by former Republican consultant Allan Hoffenblum. Spanish Language Media Field Poll In the English media politics doesn’t get Established in 1947, it is a well-respect- California Forward the attention that it deserves, but Span- ed non-partisan poll run by Merv Field A non-partisan organization working to ish language media give it regular and and Mark DiCamillo. create a more responsive and effective thorough coverage. government for the public.

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