Amazon is dramatically increasing its financial commitment to reshape politics in its hometown, in a move that signals a big shift for the tech giant.

Amazon is spending an additional $1.05 million on an effort to elect a new Seattle City Council, the company confirmed Tuesday. That brings the total funding Amazon has put into the race to $1.45 million.

Amazon donated the funds to the Seattle Metro Chamber of Commerce’s political action committee, The Civic Alliance for a Sound Economy (CASE). The company donated $400,000 to CASE earlier this year and $50,000 in September 2018. CASE has made endorsements for each of the City Council positions, selecting candidates seen as more business-friendly than their opponents. Just one endorsement is for an incumbent; the rest of CASE’s picks would be new faces on the council.

We believe it is critical that our hometown has a city council that is focused on pragmatic solutions to our shared challenges in transportation, homelessness, climate change and public safety.

The contribution announced today more than doubles Amazon’s commitment and makes it the top spender on Seattle elections this year by far. It’s a sign that local politics can have a big impact on this global corporation and an example of Amazon’s newfound appetite for civic engagement at all levels of government.

“We are contributing to this election because we care deeply about the future of Seattle,” said Amazon spokesperson Aaron Toso said in a statement. “We believe it is critical that our hometown has a city council that is focused on pragmatic solutions to our shared challenges in transportation, homelessness, climate change and public safety.”

Though it’s unusual for Amazon to spend so much on local races, the upcoming Seattle City Council elections have big implications for the region. Seven of the nine City Council positions up for grabs. To Amazon, that represents an opportunity to largely unseat a council it has accused of being “hostile” and taking “anti-business positions.”