{"id":2633176,"date":"2026-07-21T14:59:01","date_gmt":"2026-07-21T18:59:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/tech-billionaires-line-up-behind-xavier-becerra-in-california-governor-race\/"},"modified":"2026-07-21T15:05:50","modified_gmt":"2026-07-21T19:05:50","slug":"tech-billionaires-line-up-behind-xavier-becerra-in-california-governor-race","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/tech-billionaires-line-up-behind-xavier-becerra-in-california-governor-race\/","title":{"rendered":"Tech billionaires line up behind Xavier Becerra in California governor race"},"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\">22<\/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%2Ftech-billionaires-line-up-behind-xavier-becerra-in-california-governor-race%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=2633176&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\u2019s tech billionaires are shifting their political support from San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan to Xavier Becerra following Mahan\u2019s poor primary showing and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/former-presidential-candidate-chris-christie-takes-apparent-shot-at-trump-amid-2024-hints\/\" title=\"Former Presidential Candidate Chris Christie Takes Apparent Shot At Trump Amid 2024 Hints\">sixth-place finish<\/a>. Recent campaign finance disclosures reveal that influential tech executives, venture capitalists, and business leaders, including donors like Garry Tan, Evan Spiegel, Rick Caruso, Ron Conway, and others, are now backing Becerra, with some contributing the maximum allowed.This support reflects a strategic move by major donors to align with likely winners and maintain influence over California\u2019s political future. Initially, Mahan attracted heavy financial backing from Silicon Valley billionaires due to his business-friendly platform, but his campaign faltered in the primary. As an inevitable result,many of his backers have now consolidated behind Becerra,perceiving him as the more viable candidate. Notable figures such as Reed Hastings,Meta,Uber,and even donors from across party lines,including sergey Brin and Steve Hilton,have contributed to Becerra\u2019s campaign,signaling a pragmatic shift in the tech industry\u2019s political approach.Experts interpret these developments as a move driven by political realism rather than ideology, emphasizing that tech donors aim to retain influence nonetheless of the election outcome.  <\/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\u2019s<\/a> tech billionaires are increasingly throwing their support behind 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> after many previously backed San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan\u2019s unsuccessful bid for <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/2026-election\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"11675\">governor<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">New <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/first-attempt-to-recall-san-francisco-d-a-falls-short-but-he-could-still-be-ousted-from-office\/\" title=\"First Attempt To Recall San Francisco D.A. Falls Short, But He Could Still Be Ousted From Office\">campaign finance filings show<\/a> a growing number of influential tech executives, venture capitalists, and business leaders redirecting their support to Becerra after Mahan\u2019s sixth-place finish ended the Democratic mayor\u2019s gubernatorial campaign.<\/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\/state\/4657183\/tech-billionaires-xavier-becerra-california-governor-race\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Tech billionaires line up behind Xavier Becerra in California governor race<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4653520\/abigail-spanberger-six-month-approval-rating\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Abigail Spanberger defends record at six-month mark with approval rating underwater<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4653378\/sara-rodriguez-abandon-bid-wisconsin-governor\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Wisconsin Democrat abandons bid for governor after campaign finance inaccuracies<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Among the latest donors are Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan and Snap co-founder Evan Spiegel, who each gave Becerra the maximum individual contribution of $39,200 on June 26. Los Angeles real estate developer Rick Caruso, who also backed Mahan during the primary, followed with a maximum donation of $39,200 on June 30.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cPolitics is a long-term commitment, not a one-cycle effort,\u201d Tan said in a statement provided through a spokesperson. \u201cSuccess comes from listening, building coalitions, and staying engaged beyond election day and throughout the year. The tech sector will continue to grow politically and continue to contribute.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Becerra has also drawn support from other prominent California donors who previously aligned with Mahan. Lisa Pritzker donated $39,200 to Becerra on June 15 after her ex-husband, billionaire investor John Pritzker, contributed $500,000 to an independent expenditure committee supporting Mahan during the primary. Instacart also gave Becerra the maximum contribution after previously donating $25,000 to an outside committee backing Mahan.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The filings also show Becerra collected more than $235,000 after the primary from Silicon Valley venture capitalist Ron Conway and members of his family. Conway did not donate directly to Mahan\u2019s gubernatorial campaign but has long supported the mayor\u2019s business ventures and political career in San Jose.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSilicon Valley rarely stays on the sidelines for long,\u201d political expert Mike Fahey told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>. \u201cOnce a preferred candidate is out of the race, major donors tend to consolidate behind the contender they believe can actually govern and win. Politics is an investment business as much as it is an ideological one. These donors aren\u2019t writing checks to relive the primary. They\u2019re writing checks to have a seat at the table when the next governor is making decisions that affect California\u2019s economy, technology sector, housing, artificial intelligence, and regulation.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Veteran California political strategist Rich Robinson also said the donor migration reflects political reality more than ideology.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe reason is pretty simple: Xavier is going to be the winner,\u201d <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/missionlocal.org\/2026\/07\/silicon-valley-tech-billionaires-mahan-becerra\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/missionlocal.org\/2026\/07\/silicon-valley-tech-billionaires-mahan-becerra\/\">Robinson told <em>Mission Local<\/em><\/a>. \u201cGet on the train now. They\u2019re trying to make up for the fact they were with Mahan and don\u2019t want to be shut out of the Becerra administration.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The shift marks a dramatic reversal from the opening months of the race, when Mahan was widely viewed as Silicon Valley\u2019s preferred candidate.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After launching his campaign, Mahan quickly attracted support from technology executives and wealthy investors drawn to his business-friendly platform. More than two dozen billionaires ultimately helped steer roughly $15 million into his campaign and allied political committees, hoping he could emerge from the crowded Democratic field.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The strategy fell short. Despite assembling one of the strongest fundraising operations in the race, Mahan finished sixth in the June primary, prompting many of his biggest financial supporters to rally behind Becerra as Democrats began to consolidate around the former Cabinet secretary.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some influential figures in the tech industry had already begun hedging their bets before primary voters weighed in. Netflix Executive Chairman Reed Hastings donated to both Mahan and Becerra, while Meta contributed $245,000 to a committee supporting Becerra in late May, and Uber gave $1 million to the same group a week earlier.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Others have spread their support across party lines.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/premium\/4640388\/california-wealth-tax-proposal-deserves-hard-pass\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"4640388\">CALIFORNIA WEALTH TAX PROPOSAL DESERVES A HARD PASS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-26\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Google co-founder Sergey Brin, Ripple Labs co-founder Chris Larsen, and Palantir Technologies co-founder Joe Lonsdale each contributed to both Mahan and Republican candidate <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4601813\/steve-hilton-california-governor-general-election\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"4601813\">Steve Hilton<\/a>, according to campaign finance records.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Brin, who has largely stayed out of politics, drew attention earlier this year after relocating from California to Nevada. Hilton also has deep Silicon Valley ties through his wife, Rachel Whetstone, who led communications and public policy at Google from 2005 to 2015. His campaign has also attracted significant backing from business interests and political action committees, including support from Uber Technologies and several real estate and investment firms.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe bigger story is what this says about California politics,\u201d Fahey said. \u201cThe tech industry has become more pragmatic than ideological over the last several election cycles. Rather than trying to reshape the race after the voters have spoken, many influential donors are accepting the political reality and moving quickly to build relationships with the candidates most likely to govern. That\u2019s less about changing the outcome than making sure they still have a voice once the campaign is over.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Tech leaders shift support to Becerra after Mahan&#8217;s primary loss<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2646,"featured_media":2633177,"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\/07\/AP26160735147180.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[53575,4045,4173,5894,4989],"class_list":["post-2633176","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-billionaires-2","tag-california","tag-governor","tag-politics","tag-tech"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AP26160735147180.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2633176","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\/2646"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2633176"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2633176\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2633180,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2633176\/revisions\/2633180"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2633177"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2633176"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2633176"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2633176"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}