Cesar Diaz brings more than two decades of legislative, political, and public affairs experience in California, with expertise at the intersection of business and labor. At Capitol Advocacy, he represents clients across Energy, Housing, and Governmental Organization, including alcohol and gaming. Drawing on his extensive experience working with business, labor, and government stakeholders, Cesar helps clients navigate complex legislative and regulatory challenges, build strategic coalitions, and advance policy priorities that balance economic growth, workforce interests, and California’s evolving regulatory landscape.

Prior to joining the firm, Cesar served as principal policy consultant for the office of the Senate Pro Tempore under Senators Atkins and McGuire, where he guided a broad range of policy and budget priorities.

Previously, he was the longtime legislative and political director for the State Building Trades Council where he spent 14 years advancing the council’s legislative, regulatory and political agenda. As political director, he managed the council’s endorsement process and political action committee while building coalitions with business, housing and environmental organizations to influence legislative and constitutional officer elections, statewide political initiatives and local campaigns.

Throughout his career, Cesar has served on various boards and commissions, including serving for Governors Brown and Newsom as the gubernatorial appointee to the State Allocation Board, which apportions state bond funds to school districts for modernization and new construction of school facilities.

Cesar served as a co-editor of the California Target Book, an essential source of campaign data for political professionals. The Capitol Weekly recognized him as “one of California’s most influential lobbyists,” and he participated in the Sacramento Bee’s California Influencer Series—a special project that focused on the policy challenges affecting communities by bringing together a diverse group of leaders to engage in a thoughtful exchange about possible solutions to pressing statewide issues. His Capitol experience includes serving as senior policy advisor to California Lt. Governor Bustamante. Prior to working in and around the Capitol, Cesar worked as a program associate for the California Academy of Family Physicians.