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 October
| Rank | Committee | City | Amount | Median Contribution Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Governor Newsom's Ballot Measure Committee | Sacramento | $1,085,000 | $50,000 |
| 2 | Toni Atkins for Lieutenant Governor 2026 | San Diego | $193,345 | $6,450 |
| 3 | Rob Bonta for CA Attorney General 2026 | Alameda | $132,800 | $9,100 |
| 4 | Juan Carrillo for Assembly 2024 | Encinitas | $131,800 | $5,500 |
| 5 | California Hospitals Committee on Issues | Sacramento | $130,812 | $1,807 |
| 6 | California Apartment Association Issues Committee | Sacramento | $113,300 | $1,375 |
| 7 | Fiona Ma for Lieutenant Governor 2026 | Sacramento | $108,393 | $5,000 |
| 8 | Dave Cortese for Senate 2024 | San Jose | $82,600 | $5,400 |
| 9 | Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties' Community Action Fund, PAC | Anaheim | $76,941 | $20 |
| 10 | Our Children, Our Future CA | Pasadena | $49,989 | $49,989 |
| 11 | Senator Becker Justice and Climate Ballot Measure Committee | Sacramento | $42,000 | $42,000 |
| 12 | Soria for Assembly 2024 | Sacramento | $38,500 | $5,500 |
| 13 | Matt Haney for Assembly 2024 | Oakland | $33,000 | $5,500 |
| 14 | Results for California: A Cottie Petrie-Norris Ballot Measure Committee | Sacramento | $30,000 | $10,000 |
| 15 | Angelo Farooq for State Senate 2024 | Encino | $27,000 | $6,250 |
| 16 | Rubio Fighting for California Ballot Measure Committee | Sacramento | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| 17 | California Young Democrats, PAC | Long Beach | $22,500 | $6,250 |
| 18 | Dawn Addis for Assembly 2024 | Sacramento | $22,000 | $5,500 |
| 19 | California Works: Senator Toni Atkins Ballot Measure Committee | San Diego | $21,800 | $21,800 |
| 20 | San Diegans for Justice | San Diego | $17,760 | $17,760 |
| 21 | Michelle Rodriguez for Assembly 2024 | Sacramento | $16,500 | $5,500 |
| 21 | Limon for Senate 2024 | Santa Barbara | $16,500 | $4,250 |
| 23 | Efren Martinez for Assembly 2024 | Norwalk | $16,400 | $8,200 |
| 23 | John Laird for Senate 2024 | Santa Cruz | $16,400 | $8,200 |
| 25 | Josh Newman for Senate 2024 | Fullerton | $16,000 | $600 |
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