Liberal billionaire Tom Steyer put up $216 million to fund his campaign for governor. All together, more than 200 candidates have contributed about a quarter billion dollars of their own money this year. 

Billionaires, Big Oil and other interests spent big to influence the California governor’s race. Here are five key takeaways: Outside money shatters records. Mahan fizzles out. Steyer personal spending breaks records. Swalwell donors flock to Becerra. Republican Steve Hilton has the most donors.

As the Nov. 4 election day approaches, most of the money for and against the plan to redraw California congressional districts was spent not by the campaign organizations, but by nonprofits, political parties and a billionaire.

Gov. Gavin Newsom is raising money from labor unions and Democrats all over the country for his redistricting ballot measure. Republicans are pouring in money to fight it.

Google, oil companies and utilities helped push California lobbying to a record $540 million in 2024, up 10% from the year before.

In addition to money Google spent lobbying the Legislature and governor from July through September during a media bill fight, it also showered elected officials with $107,500 in campaign cash on one day in September.

A CalMatters analysis shows that California’s campaign finance watchdog has sometimes taken years to resolve cases, sometimes after politicians have won election or left office.

The total stock portfolio of the Legislature was worth as much as $112 million last year but experts say the public should know more about a politician’s total wealth.

Financial disclosures show that state lawmakers were showered with more than $330,000 in gifts, plus more than $1.1 million in travel sponsored by interest groups. That total last year is 28% higher than in 2022.

Two-thirds of the bills opposed by the oil industry this year were killed, thanks in part to an alliance with the building trades union, forcing Democrats to sometimes choose between jobs and the environment.

Ballot measure campaigns are already building their war chests for the costly fight to come, raising more than $60 million since January.

A 2015 law to bring more transparency to paid trips for California legislators has led to only two disclosure forms being filed by the sponsoring groups.

Among the biggest beneficiaries of Govern For California, a network of local chapters — 'force mulipliers' — that amplifies its donors’ influence on legislative races, is Assemblymember Robert Rivas, who wants to become the next Assembly speaker.