Yashar Ali is a Los Angeles-based political consultant and commentator. In 2009, he joined the gubernatorial campaign of former San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom as traveling chief of staff; he then served as Newsom’s deputy chief of staff in his mayoral office. He served as campaign manager of Newsom's successful campaign for lieutenant governor of California -- a race in which Newsom bested his opponent by an 11-point margin. At the age of 26, he joined the Hillary Clinton for President campaign as a national co-chair in 2007 -- the youngest co-chair in the campaign. In 2006, Yashar served as finance chair to then California State Controller Steve Westly’s campaign for Governor. He also served as National LGBT chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) under Senator Chuck Schumer.