Press Kit
Everything journalists, editors, and event organizers need to cover The First Chair and Richard J. Chivaro.
The First Chair
An Insider Account of American Political Life
The First Chair takes readers behind the closed doors of state government — into the rooms where decisions are made, alliances are forged, and careers are won or lost. Drawing on decades of firsthand experience, Richard J. Chivaro delivers an unfiltered account of how power actually works in American politics.
Part memoir, part political history, The First Chair is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the machinery of democratic governance — not as it appears from the outside, but as it is lived from within.
What the Book Covers
How Power Really Works
The unwritten rules, informal hierarchies, and personal dynamics that determine outcomes in state government.
The Human Side of Politics
Portraits of the people behind the titles — their motivations, their contradictions, and their moments of courage.
Crisis and Decision
Inside accounts of high-stakes moments when the right call was far from obvious — and the consequences were real.
Democratic Accountability
A frank examination of where the system works, where it fails, and what citizens can do about it.
Richard J. Chivaro
Richard J. Chivaro spent decades at the center of California state government, serving in senior roles that gave him unparalleled access to the inner workings of American political life. He witnessed firsthand the negotiations, the crises, and the human moments that rarely make the news.
A lawyer by training and a public servant by calling, Chivaro brings both analytical rigor and personal candor to his account. The First Chair is his effort to share what he learned — and what he believes every engaged citizen deserves to know.
- Decades of senior state government experience
- Firsthand witness to landmark California political events
- Attorney and public policy expert
- Available for interviews, panels, and speaking engagements
Richard J. Chivaro — author photo for editorial use
"Chivaro writes with the precision of an insider and the conscience of a citizen. This is the book that needed to be written."
The Policy Review
"I've spent thirty years covering state politics. This book captures what I've always known but could never fully document. Remarkable."
Veteran Political Correspondent
"The First Chair is a masterclass in political memoir — specific, honest, and deeply important for our understanding of democratic governance."
American Governance Quarterly
Downloadable Resources
High-resolution images, author bio, and book synopsis are available for editorial and promotional use. Please credit Richard J. Chivaro / The First Chair.
To request media assets, use the contact form below or email directly. Assets are provided for editorial and promotional use only.
Suggested Interview Questions
- 01What made you decide to write The First Chair now, after decades in government?
- 02What surprised you most about how state government actually works versus how it's portrayed?
- 03Who in your career had the most profound influence on how you think about public service?
- 04What do you want ordinary citizens to take away from this book?
- 05Is there a moment in the book you were most hesitant to include — and why did you include it anyway?
- 06What does 'the first chair' mean to you personally?
Get in Touch
For interview requests, review copies, speaking engagements, or any media inquiry, please use the contact form or reach out directly. We respond to all press inquiries within two business days.