Tech giants are spending more than ever to shape California politics. See how much
As California gears up for high-stakes elections this year, including an open governor’s race, major companies focused on artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency invested more than $39 million to influence state politics in 2025, according to a CalMatters analysis.
The companies contributed that money to political campaigns, hired lobbyists to influence policy and donated to nonprofit organizations at the request of lawmakers. In all cases, critics say, the companies used their money to build relationships that give them outsized influence over the legislative process. The companies themselves say that they’re supporting candidates and policies who align with their corporate priorities.
Last July, Meta, which made $201 billion in revenue last year, transferred $20 million to a new political committee it created with the goal of supporting candidates in favor of fewer AI regulations. A month later, the company gave the California Democratic Party $150,000 and a bipartisan group of 20 incumbents in the California Legislature up to $5,900 each.
“There’s a question of why (tech companies) have to spend so much money,” said Catherine Bracy, founder of TechEquity, a nonprofit in favor of AI regulations that spent nearly $200,000 on state issue advocacy last year. “And that’s because they’re on the wrong side of history, and people don’t like them very much.”
https://calmatters.org/politics/2026/03/meta-google-ai-regulation-elections/