So Meta isn’t just coding AI models and pushing VR headsets anymore—it’s now pulling up a chair at California’s political poker table with a massive stack of chips.
The company is prepping to drop tens of millions into a new super PAC with the very Silicon Valley-sounding name: Mobilizing Economic Transformation Across (Meta) California. Translation? Meta wants to bankroll candidates (Democrat, Republican, doesn’t matter) who will keep tech regulation chill and AI innovation flowing.
If that feels like a power move, that’s because it is. This puts Meta in the same political big leagues as Uber and Airbnb, who’ve already used similar strategies to bend Sacramento toward their agendas. And the timing? Perfectly aligned with California’s crowded 2026 governor’s race, where tech companies have mostly sat on the sidelines—until now.
Why the urgency? California has quickly become ground zero for AI regulation. From bills demanding transparency for large AI models to stricter rules on social media safety, lawmakers are making Big Tech sweat. Meta’s message is simple: too many restrictions = slower AI progress = California loses its crown as the global tech capital. Brian Rice, Meta’s VP of Public Policy (and the guy steering this PAC), said it plainly—“Sacramento’s regulatory environment could stifle innovation.”
And Meta’s not just talking. This spring, the company shelled out over $518K lobbying the state, pushing back on bills like SB 53, which would slap AI developers with safety standards. They’ve also been spreading campaign cash across the board—supporting Republicans, Democrats, and everyone in between, from lieutenant governor hopefuls to local tax board candidates.
But the super PAC is where the game really changes. With a dedicated fund, Meta can pour serious money into the race for California’s next governor and beyond, shaping who gets the keys to the state and how AI policies unfold.
And they’re not alone. Airbnb’s already flexing with a $15M state PAC. Andreessen Horowitz, OpenAI’s Greg Brockman, and Palantir’s Joe Lonsdale just kicked off a $100M+ PAC network to fight AI safety bills. Even crypto-backed Fairshake has shown how deep pockets can sink a candidate.
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