Tech billionaires have spent hundreds of millions of dollars ahead of California's 2 June primary election, in what experts say is an unprecedented attempt to influence the state's political landscape. The spending spree, which includes contributions from Google co-founder Sergey Brin and crypto mogul Chris Larsen, is set to make this the most expensive primary season in California history.
Sergey Brin has donated at least $82m since January to fight a proposed billionaire tax on the November ballot, according to campaign finance filings. The former Alphabet president also spent $500,000 in San Francisco to oppose a city measure expanding a tax on high-paid CEOs. Chris Larsen has funded three Super Pacs with $26m to sway campaigns across the state, including $1m to back a candidate for state insurance commissioner.
Google and Meta have jointly funded a Super Pac with $10m to support assembly and senate candidates in local district races. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Matt Mahan has received donations from top executives at Google, Amazon, Snap, LinkedIn, Reddit and Palantir, making him the largest recipient of tech money among candidates.
Experts say the influx of cash is aimed at gaining regulatory leverage as Silicon Valley races to develop artificial intelligence. 'This money is flowing in the direction of politicians that can be influential in defining the regulatory agenda for the next five years,' said Francesco Trebbi, a public policy professor at the University of California, Berkeley. He warned that the disclosed spending is likely 'just the tip of the iceberg', with dark money entities also playing a role.
The tech industry also spent $39m on lobbying California's state government in 2025 alone, surpassing the oil and gas industry, according to an analysis by CalMatters. Voters across the state have been bombarded with TV ads, robotexts and mailers funded by tech-backed Super Pacs.
