Political committees in California received over $1.5 billion in donations in 2022.
Political donations in the state are capped at $5,500 per election cycle for candidates running for the state legislature, such as Senators and Representatives. For gubernatorial candidates, the contribution limit is $36,400 per election cycle.
Donations made to political groups or candidates must be disclosed under state law for greater transparency in elections. While Congress created the Federal Election Commission to oversee federal elections in 1974, each state is left to regulate its local elections.
Top California Committees Ranked by Total Contributions in July
| Rank | Committee | City | Amount | Median Contribution Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Save Local Restaurants, a Coalition of California Small Business Owners, Restaurateurs, Franchisees, Employees, Consumers and Community-Based Organizations | San Rafael | $60,176,000 | $10,000,000 |
| 2 | Californians for Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability, sponsored by California homeowners, taxpayers, and businesses | Sacramento | $310,000 | $155,000 |
| 3 | ActBlue California | Somerville | $272,570 | $23 |
| 4 | Californians for Fair Pay and Employer Accountability, sponsored by farmers, small businesses, independent restaurants and nonprofit organizations | Sacramento | $100,000 | $100,000 |
| 4 | Ted Bui for State Assembly 2022 | Fountain Valley | $100,000 | $100,000 |
| 6 | California Federation of Teachers COPE | Burbank | $90,479 | $292 |
| 7 | California Dream for All, Robert Rivas Ballot Measure Committee | Sacramento | $80,000 | $7,500 |
| 8 | Rob Bonta for CA Attorney General 2026 | Alameda | $74,800 | $7,050 |
| 9 | Governor Newsom's Ballot Measure Committee | Sacramento | $70,000 | $5,000 |
| 10 | Steamfitters Local 342 Political Action Committee | Concord | $63,868 | $24 |
| 11 | Fiona Ma for Lieutenant Governor 2026 | Sacramento | $59,100 | $5,000 |
| 12 | Soria for Assembly 2024 | Sacramento | $57,900 | $5,500 |
| 13 | United Contractors, PAC | San Ramon | $53,500 | $2,750 |
| 14 | Democratic Party of Orange County | Los Angeles | $45,500 | $45,500 |
| 15 | International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers Local 549, PAC | Pittsburg | $36,680 | $237 |
| 16 | Juan Carrillo for Assembly 2024 | Encinitas | $31,500 | $5,250 |
| 17 | Toni Atkins for Lieutenant Governor 2026 | San Diego | $28,200 | $900 |
| 18 | Friends of Solache for Assembly 2024 | Long Beach | $26,500 | $5,500 |
| 19 | Tim Grayson for Assembly 2024 | Concord | $26,000 | $5,500 |
| 20 | Powerpac. ORG Voter Fund, a Sponsored Committee of Powerpac. ORG | San Francisco | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| 21 | California Apartment Association Issues Committee | Sacramento | $22,500 | $22,500 |
| 22 | Matt Gunderson for Senate 2022 | Laguna Hills | $18,000 | $18,000 |
| 23 | Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh for Senate 2024 | Hilmar | $16,500 | $3,050 |
| 23 | Jack J. Fernandes for Assembly 2024 | Bonsall | $16,500 | $5,500 |
| 25 | Sharon Quirk-Silva for Assembly 2024 | Sacramento | $15,500 | $5,000 |
ORGANIZATIONS IN THIS STORY
Union of American Physicians and Dentists Small Contributor Committee• Californians for Fair Pay and Employer Accountability, Sponsored by Farmers, Small Businesses, Independent Restaurants and Nonprofit Organizations• Resource Recovery Coalition of California, PAC• California Dream for All, Robert Rivas Ballot Measure Committee• California Mortgage Association, PAC• Personal Insurance Federation of CA Agents & Employees, PAC• Consumer Attorneys of California Political Action Committee• Wine Institute California PAC• Californians for Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability, sponsored by California homeowners, taxpayers, and businesses• Governor Newsom's Ballot Measure Committee• California Apartment Association Issues Committee• Results for California: A Cottie Petrie-Norris Ballot Measure Committee
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