# California Best in Government Affairs Awards | USLege > The 2026 Best in Government Affairs Awards for California honor the state's top lobbyists, legislative staff, association leaders, and policy professionals. Canonical: https://www.uslege.ai/best-in-government-affairs/california --- USLege · Best in Government Affairs Awards California · 2026 # California Best in Government _Affairs_ The inaugural California Best in Government Affairs Awards launch this year. Nominations open later this year, with no cost to nominate or be featured. Presented with [![Capitol Confidential Pro, powered by USLege](/assets/awards/capcon-pro-logo-inverted.png)](https://www.capitolconfidential.com) [Explore other states](#states) **2026**Inaugural Class **8**Categories **100%**Peer-nominated [![Capitol Confidential Pro, powered by USLege](/assets/capcon-pro-lockup-dark.png)](https://www.capitolconfidential.com) Capitol Confidential Pro · powered by USLege Connected and cross-referenced California policy intelligence. Presented with Capitol Confidential Pro, pairing trusted California Capitol reporting with real-time USLege legislative intelligence. Inaugural Awards ## The first California honorees launch _this year_. The inaugural California Best in Government Affairs Awards launch this year. Nominations open later this year, and there is never a cost to nominate or be featured. A Preview ## This is what the night _looks like_. California winners will receive the same peer-nominated crystal awarded at the inaugural Texas ceremony in 2025. ![Rows of engraved crystal Best in Government Affairs awards at the 2025 Texas ceremony](/assets/awards/award-night-2025.jpg) Award crystal from the Texas 2025 ceremony, the same honor California winners will receive. At the Best in Government Affairs Award ceremony The Categories ## Eight ways to be _the best_ in the building. The USLege 2026 Best in Government Affairs Awards highlight standout professionals in lobbying, public affairs, and policy strategy, chosen through peer nominations. Whether they're running point at the Capitol, leading an association, or emerging as a rising star, these are the people making an impact. There is no cost to nominate or be featured. [ ### Top Hired Gun Lobbyists Contract lobbyists](/best-in-government-affairs/california/best-lobbyists)[ ### Rising Stars Emerging talent](/best-in-government-affairs/california/rising-stars)[ ### Top Staffer Legislative staff](/best-in-government-affairs/california/top-staffers)[ ### Association Champion Association leaders](/best-in-government-affairs/california/association-advocates)[ ### Female Powerhouse Women who lead](/best-in-government-affairs/california/top-female-lobbyists)[ ### Strategic Communicator Message-makers](/best-in-government-affairs/california/public-affairs-communicators)[ ### Lobby Legends Veteran advocates](/best-in-government-affairs/california/most-powerful-lobbyists)[ ### Policy Intelligence Leaders Policy minds](/best-in-government-affairs/california/top-policy-experts) The Honor ## What every winner _receives_. A feature profile on the 2026 Best in Government Affairs webpage A custom award badge and digital toolkit to share the win Exclusive promotion to the USLege network of 12,000+ policy professionals and media partners Notification as part of a public recognition campaign, with selections based on the strength and volume of nominations 2027 Awards ## The 2027 honorees launch _this year_. The 2027 USLege Best in Government Affairs Awards will be announced next year. Nominations will open at a later date, and there is never a cost to nominate or be featured. For now, explore this year's 2026 winners. Nominations closed ## The 2026 honorees are _in_. Nominations for the 2026 awards are now closed. The 2027 USLege Best in Government Affairs Awards, including nominations, will open at a later date. There is never a cost to nominate or be featured. The platform behind the awards ## Track the California Legislature while you _wait on nominations_. USLege covers the California Legislature with live video, transcripts, and cited AI answers, the same coverage Capitol Confidential Pro is built on. Get the weekly Political Spotlight recap for California, free. [Explore USLege California](/states/california) [Read the Political Spotlight](/newsletters) Questions ## About the _awards_. ### What are the USLege Best in Government Affairs Awards? An annual, peer-nominated recognition of the most effective professionals in government affairs, including contract lobbyists, legislative staff, association leaders, strategic communicators, and policy experts. The California program launches this year. ### When will the California winners be announced? The inaugural California Best in Government Affairs Awards launch this year. Nominations open later this year, and there is no cost to nominate or be featured. ### How are winners selected? Winners are chosen entirely through peer nominations. Final selections are based on the strength and volume of nominations received. ### What categories are recognized? Eight categories: Top Hired Gun Lobbyists, Rising Stars, Top Staffer, Association Champion, Female Powerhouse, Strategic Communicator, Lobby Legends, Policy Intelligence Leaders. ### Who presents the California awards? [![Capitol Confidential Pro, powered by USLege](/assets/capcon-pro-lockup-dark.png)](https://www.capitolconfidential.com) Presented with Capitol Confidential Pro. Every State ## Explore other _states_. The USLege Best in Government Affairs Awards are rolling out across all 50 states. Find yours below. [California](/best-in-government-affairs/california)[New York](/best-in-government-affairs/new-york)[Texas](/best-in-government-affairs/texas)AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming