Big Tech’s Influence on California Elections: Mixed Results

California’s June 2026 primaries revealed mixed outcomes for tech billionaires’ political investments, with high-profile candidates like Matt Mahan and Ethan Agarwal facing defeats despite substantial funding, while down-ballot races saw success. The results underscore the limits of financial influence in a state where tech’s regulatory battles and public skepticism persist.

Considerable Tech’s Mixed Gambit in California Primaries

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, backed by $50 million from tech giants including Google co-founder Sergey Brin and Stripe CEO Patrick Collison, secured just 4% of the vote in California’s gubernatorial race, trailing leaders by over 20 points. Similarly, tech-backed candidate Ethan Agarwal, who opposed a 5% wealth tax on billionaires, garnered only 6% in his bid to unseat Rep. Ro Khanna. Both candidates conceded, highlighting the disconnect between financial backing and voter sentiment in a state increasingly wary of tech’s growing influence.

The outcomes contrast with successes in down-ballot races, where candidates like Scott Wiener and Cerritos City Council Member Mark Pulido—funded by tech-linked super PACs—advanced to November’s general elections. These victories suggest that while tech money can shape local politics, its impact on statewide races remains constrained by broader public concerns about AI regulation, data privacy, and corporate accountability.

Expert Analysis: The Limits of Tech Money

Political scientists emphasize that financial support alone cannot