The Bible tells us to pray for our leaders. Paul writes to his protégé Timothy, “1 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior,” 1st Timothy 2:1-3.
We’re experiencing a great deal of political strife in our country and in our state even in good times. Now we have a pandemic, rioting and a spirit of lawlessness sweeping our country. Our politicians, never a sympathetic demographic group, are unwilling or unable to deal with the situations taking place. That’s a problem as so much of agriculture depends on which political breeze water is carried on. Like it or not these overwhelmed politicians are making the decisions that impact farmers and ranchers. It’s difficult to humble ourselves and pray for people who are doing us wrong whether out of ignorance or spite. When Paul wrote those words to Timothy Nero was emperor. If God included in the Bible instructions for Christians to pray for Nero then we can expect to be held accountable to pray for our leaders.
Listed are the names and offices of 65 people elected, appointed or hired to serve in California’s Executive Branch of government. The chart used as a source actually had well more than 100 offices. The list includes all the statewide elected positions, governor’s staff and cabinet positions however the list doesn’t include all the names lower in the hierarchy as many of them have no direct application to agriculture although they need prayer too. There are 17 other categories not listed here such as the Lottery Commission, the Arts Council and the University of California Board of Regents, etc. Pick one or two and pray for them.
The leadership of the state government in California has its supporters and detractors but it’s difficult to see much if any evidence Godly wisdom is being sought or practiced. There may be people on this list who are devout believers, brothers and sisters in Christ – they need our prayers. There are most likely others on this list whose hearts and minds need renewal and salvation. They also need our prayers. May we be salt and light. May the people on this list give and receive Godly advice. May the teeth of the wicked be blunted and their plans frustrated and may their hearts turn to God. May the righteous find favor. May our Lord Jesus use these prayers to further his kingdom.
Prayer List California Government
From: California State Government – the Executive Branch 4/15/20 https://cold.govops.ca.gov/File/OrganizationalChart
Statewide Elected Offices
Gov. Gavin Newsom
Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis
Secretary of State Alex Padilla
Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond
Attorney General Xavier Becerra
State Controller Betty Yee
State Treasurer Fiona Ma
State Board of Equalization Ted Gaines, Malia Cohen, Antonia Vazquez & Mike Schaefer
Governor’s Staff
Chief of Staff, Ann O’Leary
Deputy Chief of Staff, Lindsay Cobia
Cabinet Secretary, Ana Matasantos
Appointments, Cathryn Rivera-Hernandez
First Partner Chief of Staff, Rebecca Beland McNaught
Legislative Affairs, Anthony Williams
Communications, Nathan Click
Judicial Appointments, Martin Jenkins
Operations, Erin Suhr
Legal Affairs, Catherine E. Lhamon
Special Advisor, Angie Wei
Offices Reporting to Governor
Office of Business & Economic Development Vacant
Office of Planning & Research, Director Kate Gordon
Office of Emergency Services, Director Mark Ghilarducci
Agencies & Departments Reporting to Governor
(Listed under the Secretary level is the bureaucracy agriculture will interact with the most.
Transportation Agency Secretary David Kim
California Highway Patrol, Commissioner Warren Stanley
Dept. of Motor Vehicles, Director Steven Gordon
Dept. of Transportation, Director Toks Omishakin
High Speed Rail Authority, CEO Brian Kelly
Ca. Transportation Commission, Executive Director Susan Bransen
Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation Secretary Ralph Diaz
Environmental Protection Agency Secretary Jared Blumenfeld
Air Resources Board, Chair Mary Nichols
Dept. of Pesticide Regulation, Director Val Dolcini
Dept. of Toxic Substances Control, Director Meredith Williams
Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, Director Lauren Zeise
State Water Resources Control Board, Chair Joaquin Esquivel
Department of Resources Recycling & Recovery, Director Vacant
Department of Finance Director Keely Martin Bosler
Health & Human Services Agency Secretary Mark Ghaly
Department of Food & Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross, Undersecretary Jennifer Moffit
Labor & Workforce Development Agency Secretary Julie Su
Agricultural Labor Relations Board Chair Victoria Hassid
Natural Resources Agency Secretary Wade Crowfoot
Dept. of Water Resources, Director Karla Nemeth
Dept. of Forestry & Fire Protection, Director Thomas Parter
Dept. of Conservation, Director David Shabazian
Dept. of Parks & Recreation, Director Lisa Mangat
Ca. Conservation Corps, Director Bruce Saito
Dept. of Fish & Wildlife, Director Charlton Bonham
Ca. Coastal Commission, Executive Director John Ainsworth
Ca. Energy Commission, Chair David Hochschild
State Lands Commission, Executive Officer Jennifer Lucchesi
Native American Heritage Commission, Executive Director Christina Snider
Wildlife Conservation Board, Ex. Dir. John Donnelly
Central Valley Flood Protection Board, Ex. Officer Leslie Gallagher
Ca. Water Commission, Ex. Officer Joe Yun
Colorado River Board of California, Ex. Dir. Christopher Harris
Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Vito Imbasciani
Government Operations Agency Secretary Yolanda Richardson
Franchise Tax Board, Ex Officer Selvi Stanislaus
Office of Administrative Law, Director Kenneth Pogue.
Business, Consumer Services & Housing Agency Secretary Lourdes Castro Ramirez
