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.
Tech giants step up spending
Last July, Meta, which made $201 billion in revenue last year, transferred $20 million to a new political committee it created….
