{"id":2606948,"date":"2026-05-26T12:51:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-26T16:51:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/rob-bonta-looking-into-influencers-promoting-gubernatorial-candidates\/"},"modified":"2026-05-26T12:56:00","modified_gmt":"2026-05-26T16:56:00","slug":"rob-bonta-looking-into-influencers-promoting-gubernatorial-candidates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/rob-bonta-looking-into-influencers-promoting-gubernatorial-candidates\/","title":{"rendered":"Rob Bonta &#8216;looking into&#8217; influencers promoting gubernatorial candidates"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Frob-bonta-looking-into-influencers-promoting-gubernatorial-candidates%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2606948&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>california Attorney General Rob Bonta says his office is reviewing complaints about whether some candidates for governor are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/leftist-groups-are-reportedly-bribing-influencers-to-peddle-misinformation-for-2022-midterms\/\" title=\"Leftist Groups Are Reportedly Bribing ... To Peddle Misinformation For 2022\u00a0Midterms\">paying social media influencers<\/a> to endorse them without proper disclosure. In commenting on online influencers\u2019 failure to clearly state why they\u2019re supporting particular candidates-or whether they were paid-Bonta said campaign disclosure issues fall mainly under the jurisdiction of the California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC), which <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-meets-with-voting-experts-white-house-plan-on-voter-rights-still-not-clear\/\" title=\"Biden Meets With Voting \u2018Experts,... White House Plan On \u2018Voter Rights... Still Not Clear\">enforces campaign finance<\/a> and political ethics rules.<\/p>\n<p>Bonta\u2019s remarks come amid allegations involving billionaire gubernatorial candidate tom Steyer, who has been accused of running influencer posts without clearly disclosing sponsorship requirements under a 2023 California law. The law requires online creators to disclose when political campaigns pay them for endorsements or favorable content. Reports say Steyer\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/kyrsten-sinemas-campaign-spent-thousands-on-travel-to-saudi-arabia-in-final-months-in-office-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"Kyrsten Sinema...s ... spent thousands on travel to Saudi Arabia in final months in ... - Washington Examiner\">campaign spent thousands<\/a> on influencer content,and the lack of disclosures prompted FPPC complaints and an investigation. Another candidate, Xavier Becerra, has faced similar accusations but said he did not pay influencers and that any support was \u201corganic.\u201d Bonta did not indicate whether his office received complaints tied to influencers in the Los Angeles mayoral race.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/california\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"60\">California<\/a> Attorney General Rob Bonta said his office is \u201clooking into\u201d <span style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\">whether candidates running for <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/governor-races\/\">governor<\/a><\/span> are paying internet personalities to endorse them, following multiple complaints.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kcra.com\/article\/california-attorney-general-rob-bonta-on-federal-lawsuits-elections-and-e-bikes-ca-politics-360\/71390454\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.kcra.com\/article\/california-attorney-general-rob-bonta-on-federal-lawsuits-elections-and-e-bikes-ca-politics-360\/71390454\">an interview with KCRA 3<\/a> released Monday, Bonta was asked about online <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/influencers\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"11113\">influencers<\/a>\u2019 lack of disclosure about why they are choosing to endorse certain <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ill-see-you-in-court-larry-elder-slams-california-secretary-of-state-for-letter-which-claims-he-did-not-qualify-as-a-candidate\/\" title=\"\u2018I...ll See You In Court...: Larry Elder Slams California Secretary Of ... For Letter Which Claims He \u2018Did Not Qualify As A Candidate...\">gubernatorial candidates<\/a> and whether they were paid to do so.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/4581069\/trump-endorse-ty-masterson-kansas-governor\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Trump endorses Ty Masterson for Kansas governor<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4579864\/spencer-pratt-mayoral-run-traction-inconsistencies\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Spencer Pratt\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >viral mayoral run gains traction<\/a> in Los Angeles despite inconsistencies in messaging<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4578581\/mike-duggan-michigan-governor-run\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Mike Duggan ends independent run for Michigan governor<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bonta said his office has received \u201csome complaints\u201d on the matter, adding that he plans to review them to determine if action should be taken.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, Bonta noted that complaints related to campaign disclosures fall under the jurisdiction of the California Fair Political Practices Commission.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis is what they do,\u00a0in campaigns and for political expenditures, they make sure that all the rules are being followed, disclosures are made, reporting is done right and accurately,\u201d Bonta said. \u201cSo I think that they have the lead role here.\u201d <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The FPPC is an independent state agency that enforces campaign finance, lobbying, conflict-of-interest, and political ethics laws for public officials, candidates, and committees.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bonta\u2019s comments come as billionaire gubernatorial candidate Tom Steyer faces allegations that influencers paid by his campaign, including <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/news\/politics-government\/capitol-alert\/article315718825.html\">Isaiah \u201cZayy Dante\u201d Washington<\/a>, failed to clearly disclose sponsored political posts as required under California law.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 2023, Gov. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/gavin-newsom\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1426\">Gavin Newsom<\/a> (D-CA) signed a law requiring online creators to disclose when they are paid by political campaigns to post endorsements or favorable content. The rules were designed to bring transparency to political advertising as campaigns began using TikTok, Instagram, and meme accounts to reach young voters.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Steyer\u2019s campaign reportedly spent thousands of dollars on influencer content to boost his campaign, part of a social media strategy aimed at introducing the former hedge fund manager and climate activist to voters.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But several creators promoting Steyer allegedly omitted disclosures indicating they had been compensated, triggering complaints to the FPPC, which launched an investigation into the candidate\u2019s spending.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Steyer\u2019s top competitor, former Health and Human Services Secretary <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/xavier-becerra\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1719\">Xavier Becerra<\/a>, has also been accused of benefitting from similarly undisclosed influencer promotions, though Becerra said he has not paid influencers for promotion and that the support is \u201corganic.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4579864\/spencer-pratt-mayoral-run-traction-inconsistencies\/\"><strong>SPENCER PRATT\u2019S VIRAL MAYORAL RUN GAINS TRACTION IN LOS ANGELES DESPITE INCONSISTENCIES IN MESSAGING<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bonta did not specify whether complaints were made about influencers promoting candidates in the Los Angeles mayoral race.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> reached out to Bonta\u2019s office for comment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Rob Bonta says his office is checking if governor candidates pay influencers<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4130,"featured_media":2606949,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/bonta.jpeg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[37666,52227,80285,36622,49879],"class_list":["post-2606948","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-california-politics","tag-gubernatorial-candidates","tag-influencer-marketing","tag-political-advertising","tag-rob-bonta"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/bonta.jpeg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2606948","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4130"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2606948"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2606948\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2606953,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2606948\/revisions\/2606953"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2606949"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2606948"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2606948"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2606948"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}