NEWS

California Political Parties Boosted by Groups Who Also Back Their Opponents

Laura Curlin | September 05, 2017

California State Capitol Building in Sacramento.

More than 40 percent of the $60 million raised by California's major political parties during the 2016 cycle came from organizations that gave to both parties, according to a MapLight analysis.

The donations skewed Democratic; of the 117 organizations that contributed more than $25 million to both parties, 76 gave more to the California Democratic Party and 31 gave more to the California Republican Party. Ten gave the same amount to both parties.

The amount of money given skewed Democratic, as well. Among the groups contributing to both parties, the average contribution to the Democratic Party was more than two-and-a-half times greater than the average contribution to the Republican Party. In total, the California Democratic Party raised $39.8 million during the 2016 cycle. The state Republican Party raised $20.9 million.

While individuals, business entities and political action committees contributing to candidates for office in California face limits on the amount of their contribution, political parties face no such restrictions - making the parties a major factor in California politics. During the 2016 cycle, the two parties together raised twice as much money as the amount raised by candidates in the 2014 gubernatorial race.

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Top Contributors to California Political Parties for 2016 Cycle

California Democratic Party California Republican Party $3,150,000

California Hospital Association* $1,850,000

No on 56 - Stop the Special Interest Tax Grab - Earmarked for Member Communication** $1,371,000

California Association of Realtors $1,055,000

California Hospital Association* $1,086,950

AT&T $885,000

Chevron $920,750

Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) $850,000

California Association of Realtors $870,000

California Teachers Association $820,711

Philip Morris USA

*California Hospital Association includes the California Hospital Association PAC and the California Hospitals Committee on Issues.

**Top three funders to No on 56 - Stop the Special Interest Tax Grab: Philip Morris USA, R.J. Reynolds and Altria Group.

Top 20 Organizational Contributors Giving to Both Parties in 2016 Cycle

Contributor California Democratic Party California Republican Party California Hospital Association $3,150,000 $1,055,000 California Association of Realtors $1,371,000 $850,000 AT&T $1,086,950 $637,969 Pacific Gas and Electric $920,750 $646,100 Chevron $415,000 $885,000 San Manuel Band of Mission Indians $415,000 $379,800 Pechanga Band of Luiseno Mission Indians $505,000 $245,205 Edison International $390,000 $354,800 California Cable and Telecommunications Association $503,326 $240,000 California Correctional Peace Officers Association $485,080 $138,500 California Professional Firefighters $591,720 $11,957 California Dental Association $480,000 $119,800 Farmers Insurance Group $227,500 $247,700 Sempra Energy $270,000 $189,800 Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation $400,000 $23,000 California Medical Association $297,600 $119,800 California Resources Corporation $165,000 $224,800 Blue Shield of California $242,000 $91,200 California Charter School Association Advocates $221,000 $110,000 BNSF Railway $185,000 $135,200