Sam Mahood brings an extensive background in California politics and government to Capitol Advocacy, serving in key communications and policy roles in both Sacramento and Washington, DC. Sam’s areas of expertise include transportation electrification, technology and privacy, and appropriations.

As a state legislative staffer, Sam was a communications staffer for State Senators Mark DeSaulnier and Bill Monning and Assembly Speaker John A. Perez. After his stint working in the State Legislature, he joined Secretary of State Alex Padilla’s administration as Press Secretary. As the primary spokesperson for the Secretary of State’s office, Sam helped distill complex policy for the media, worked to advance some of California’s most historic election reforms, and helped defend our democracy from unprecedented attacks from foreign and domestic actors.

Sam continued working for Alex Padilla following his appointment to serve as United States Senator. In Senator Padilla’s Capitol Hill office, Sam was the lead staffer on appropriations, managing requests from stakeholders across the state and delivering federal funding to communities all over California. He also served as transportation policy advisor for the Senator, working to advance many of California’s major transportation infrastructure projects. Outside of government, Sam has served as an elected delegate to both the California Democratic Party and Democratic National Convention. Born and raised in the Bay Area and a graduate of UC Davis, Sam now lives in Midtown Sacramento with his girlfriend and their cat Dash.