Leo’s Legacy | Leo T. McCarthy Center for Public Service and the Common Good

Recalling Leo’s Legacy

Last week marked the passing of our Center’s founder, Lt. Governor Leo T. McCarthy, 14 years ago. As a progressive advocate for the common good, he inspired those around him—like his former Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications, Steve Hopcraft. Read on for Hopcraft’s reflection on Leo’s legacy. I’m the sixth child of an Irish…

Now More Than Ever

This week we hear from two people who knew the Center’s founder, Leo T. McCarthy. One is Trish Fontana, a former intern who in turn, managed the Lt. Governor’s interns and has gone on to a long career in state government. The other is Star Plaxton Moore, an early staff member of the Center, now…

Recalling Leo — A Message to our Fellows

Barbara Sobel worked for Leo McCarthy from 1987-1994. She started as a volunteer on his first US Senate race and moved to the Lt. Governor’s office where she served first as a field representative and later as a member of senior staff team as director of special projects. She is now a clinical nutritionist in…

We Weren’t Born to Follow

Trish Fontana was a former staffer for Leo T. McCarthy. She has also worked for two California Lt. Governors, two Governors, two First Ladies and two State Senators. She continues to work in the State Capitol, currently for Senator Richard D. Roth, a retired Major Air Force General who represents Riverside. This past weekend, I…