With less than three weeks until Election Day, over $100 million has been spent by political action committees on state legislative races in California, a figure surpassing expenditures for the 2024 elections. This spending primarily targets purple districts with a mix of Democrat and Republican candidates, as well as districts heavily influenced by various Democratic factions.
The surge in financial backing comes as outside groups, including unions and business interests, significantly amplify campaign efforts. Notably, two new tech-affiliated organizations, Grow California and California Leads, have emerged as major contributors. Grow California, backed by cryptocurrency investors Chris Larsen and Tim Draper, has invested $17.5 million this election cycle. California Leads, funded by tech giants Meta and Google, has committed close to $14 million to support candidates advocating for pragmatic solutions as opposed to ideological debates.
Another notable group, the Legislative Action PAC, was created in 2025 by Republican strategists in response to dissatisfaction with the California Republican Party. This PAC aims to bolster Republican incumbents who successfully flipped seats in 2024, significantly spending over $6 million since April to support its candidates. Major contributors include Google, AT&T, and various oil and gas firms.
A detailed analysis of spending highlights the most expensive legislative contests. The leading race, costing $5.6 million, features Democrats David Penaloza and Jessie Lopez vying for Assembly District 68. Lopez is recognized for her progressive positions, having previously supported legislation for rent control and police oversight. Both candidates have seen significant financial backing, with recent contributions of $1.4 million from California Leads and $1.3 million from Grow California supporting Penaloza, while powerful unions have combined their efforts to spend $1.4 million backing Lopez.
Other key races include:
In Senate District 24, John Erickson and Brian Goldsmith’s contest has drawn $5 million. While Erickson promotes less stringent renter protections, Goldsmith has garnered substantial support from the California Apartment Association and the California Realtors Association, which together have spent over $1 million in backing him.
Assembly District 47 features a $4.7 million race between Republican Greg Wallis and Democrat Leila Namvar. Wallis enjoys substantial financial advantages, receiving over $1.1 million in support from California Leads, while the Democratic Party has contributed $1.8 million to Namvar’s campaign.
In a Democrat versus Democrat matchup in Senate District 26, Sara Hernandez and Sarah Rascón are competing with a combined total expenditure of $4.6 million. Hernandez is backed by tech organizations while Rascón has distanced herself from corporate contributions in her campaign.
Other closely watched races involve spending about $3.8 million in Assembly District 12, $3.2 million in Assembly District 36, and contests in Assembly Districts 7 and 58 totaling $2.8 million and $2.6 million, respectively.
As the election approaches, outside organizations continue to make significant contributions, shaping the dynamics of various competitive races in California’s legislature.
