California politicos support fundraiser for Gov. Gavin Newsom’s former chief
Good morning and welcome to the A.M. Alert!
CAPITOL POLITICOS RALLY BEHIND DANA WILLIAMSON
Via Lia Russell…
Following her federal indictment earlier this month, Sacramento politicos have rallied around ex-Newsom aide Dana Williamson, setting up an online fund for her legal defense.
Prosecutors accused Williamson of conspiring with Sacramento lobbyist Greg Campbell and former Deputy State Attorney General Sean McCluskie to steal campaign funds from McCluskie’s boss, former Attorney General Xavier Becerra, to pad McCluskie’s salary. Williamson is separately charged with lying to the FBI and falsifying tax returns, and has pleaded not guilty.
Democratic consultant Steven Maviglio, a Newsom critic who is close with Williamson, launched an online campaign Monday to raise $100,000 as Williamson prepares to appear in court on Dec. 11. Williamson served as Newsom’s chief of staff from December 2022 to November 2024, earning $246,000 in salary and benefits in 2023, according to Transparent California, a database of public employee salaries.
“From the moment news broke about our friend Dana, she’s received an outpouring of support from friends, family and colleagues across the nation. Your kind messages - fueled by collective outrage and fierce loyalty - have been invaluable as she fights the legal battle of her life,” Maviglio wrote. “Your support means more than you know — not just financially, but as a reminder that she is surrounded by a community that refuses to let her fight this alone.”
As of midday Tuesday, Williamson’s fund had raised about $2,800. Former Fair Political Practices Commission director and ex-PG&E executive Mark Krausse was the first to donate, giving $1,000 on behalf of his family. Williamson served as PG&E’s public affairs director from 2006 to 2011 before joining former Gov. Jerry Brown’s Cabinet. An anonymous person also donated $1,000.
Former California Public Utilities Commission president Michael Picker, Democratic consultant Ed Emerson and former Newsom legislative secretary Christine Bouma have also donated.
Williamson was known as a sharp-elbowed and well-connected operative around the Capitol until her Nov. 11 arrest. She served as Newsom’s chief of staff from December 2022 to November 2024. Capitol insiders have been publicly silent and on edge after receiving letters that the FBI had recorded their conversations between May and July 2024 as part of the probe into Williamson, Campbell and McCluskie.
Campbell has since shut down his consulting firm, and McCluskie pleaded guilty in a hearing last week.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“In 2026, I’m interested in attending fewer bill signing ceremonies and more ribbon cuttings. Because our success isn’t measured by how many bills we pass – it’s measured by how many problems we actually solve.”
– Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, D-Oakland, in a post on X, and LinkedIn celebrating her wins passing housing development legislation in 2025
Best of The Bee:
Swalwell sues Trump administration official over mortgage fraud allegations via Nicole Nixon
What does CA’s dreary budget mean for state worker negotiations in 2026? via William Melhado
Stephen Cloobeck drops out of California governor race, endorses Eric Swalwell via Nicole Nixon
This story was originally published November 26, 2025 at 4:55 AM.