California Principal

Marty Wilson

Marty Wilson is one of California’s most respected campaign and corporate policy strategists, with more than four decades of experience at the intersection of politics, public affairs, and strategic communications. As Principal of AxAdvocacy’s Sacramento office, Wilson leads the firm’s California operations, bringing unmatched expertise in strategic communications, policy navigation, and political campaigns.

Wilson most recently served as Executive Vice President of Public Affairs at the California Chamber of Commerce, where for more than a dozen years, he directed all public affairs efforts—including candidate recruitment, independent expenditure campaigns, and leadership of the ChamberPAC, CalBusPAC, and JobsPAC. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in electing scores of pro-business legislative candidates from both political parties becoming an adept strategist regarding California’s top two primary system. Wilson has a long history with ballot measure campaigns in California most recently leading CalChamber’s effort in 2022 to defeat Proposition 30 a tax increase on high wealth individuals. 

A seasoned campaign veteran, Wilson played a senior role in the election of two California governors, a U.S. Senator, and has led dozens of successful statewide ballot measures and issue advocacy campaigns across California and the nation.

Wilson previously led Wilson-Miller Communications, a statewide public affairs firm, and served as a senior political advisor to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. He also held senior leadership roles at Public Strategies Inc. and global communications firm Burson-Marsteller.

Wilson has contributed to the civic and academic landscape as a senior fellow at UCLA’s School of Public Affairs, a board member of the California State Fair, and a director of the Coro Foundation. Presently he is an editor of the California Target Book. Wilson graduated with a B.A. in History from San Diego State University.