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 February
| Rank | Committee | City | Amount | Median Contribution Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Californians for Fair Pay and Employer Accountability, sponsored by farmers, small businesses, independent restaurants and nonprofit organizations | Sacramento | $10,000,000 | $5,000,000 |
| 2 | California Democratic Party | Sacramento | $2,716,990 | $8,000 |
| 3 | California Apartment Association Issues Committee | Sacramento | $1,928,910 | $1,000 |
| 4 | ActBlue California | Somerville | $1,581,909 | $500 |
| 5 | American Beverage Association California, PAC | San Rafael | $1,345,500 | $9,100 |
| 6 | Progressive Era, PAC | Oakland | $1,235,000 | $20,000 |
| 7 | California Medical Association Physicians' Issues Committee | Sacramento | $1,030,000 | $515,000 |
| 8 | Opportunity - A coalition of teachers, health care givers, faculty members, school employees, and public and private employee organizations, PAC | Sacramento | $990,000 | $375,000 |
| 9 | California Apartment Association Independent Expenditure Committee | Sacramento | $961,600 | $25,000 |
| 10 | Jobspac, a Bi-Partisan Coalition of California Employers | San Rafael | $837,500 | $10,000 |
| 11 | Housing Providers for Responsible Solutions, sponsored by housing providers | Sacramento | $817,934 | $210 |
| 12 | Fighting for our Future | Sacramento | $676,684 | $50,000 |
| 13 | Families & Teachers United, sponsored by California Charter Schools Association Advocates | Sacramento | $611,667 | $200,000 |
| 14 | Josh Newman for Senate 2024 | Fullerton | $590,023 | $5,500 |
| 15 | Golden State Leadership Fund, PAC | Los Angeles | $575,000 | $200,000 |
| 16 | Californians for Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability, sponsored by California homeowners, taxpayers, and businesses | Sacramento | $425,000 | $212,500 |
| 17 | Central City Association, PAC | Los Angeles | $405,000 | $79,167 |
| 18 | UNITE HERE TIP State & Local Fund | New York | $400,000 | $200,000 |
| 19 | California Republican Party - State | Sacramento | $379,925 | $12,750 |
| 20 | San Diego County Democratic Party | San Diego | $330,962 | $2,250 |
| 21 | State Building and Construction Trades Council of California, PAC | Sacramento | $274,976 | $2,573 |
| 22 | Soria for Assembly 2024 | Sacramento | $270,162 | $2,500 |
| 23 | Govern for California Action Committee | San Rafael | $250,000 | $250,000 |
| 24 | Smart Justice California Action Fund | Sacramento | $233,000 | $233,000 |
| 25 | California New Car Dealers Association, PAC | Sacramento | $209,292 | $700 |
| 26 | California African American, PAC | Los Angeles | $205,000 | $102,500 |
| 27 | California Dental Association Independent Expenditure, PAC | Sacramento | $201,305 | $145 |
| 28 | Caregivers and Californians United, sponsored by National Union of Healthcare Workers | Emeryville | $162,000 | $162,000 |
| 28 | National Union of Healthcare Workers Issues Committee for Quality Patient Care and Union Democracy | Emeryville | $162,000 | $162,000 |
| 30 | Keeping Californians Working, a Coalition of Insurance Agents, Technology, Energy, and Health Care Providers | Sacramento | $146,500 | $73,250 |
| 31 | Rob Bonta for CA Attorney General 2026 | Alameda | $138,500 | $5,250 |
| 32 | State Building and Construction Trades Council of California Independent Expenditure, PAC | Sacramento | $137,105 | $1,926 |
| 33 | Republican Party of Orange County | Tustin | $125,500 | $2,500 |
| 34 | California Dental Association Political Action Committee | Sacramento | $119,742 | $145 |
| 35 | California Works: Senator Toni Atkins Ballot Measure Committee | San Diego | $110,000 | $55,000 |
| 36 | We Vote - Nosotros Votamos - PPAMM Committee | San Jose | $105,791 | $105,791 |
| 37 | Professional Engineers in California Government PECG, PAC | Sacramento | $100,510 | $100,510 |
| 38 | National Union of Healthcare Workers Candidate Committee for Quality Patient Care and Union Democracy | Emeryville | $100,000 | $100,000 |
| 38 | California Dream for All, Robert Rivas Ballot Measure Committee | Sacramento | $100,000 | $100,000 |
| 40 | Limon for Senate 2024 | Santa Barbara | $98,950 | $5,950 |
| 41 | Ford Motor Company Civic Action Fund | Dearborn | $98,094 | $98,094 |
| 42 | Consumer Attorneys of California Political Action Committee | Sacramento | $97,233 | $500 |
| 43 | Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh for Senate 2024 | Hilmar | $94,798 | $2,500 |
| 44 | Re-Elect Scott Wiener for State Senate 2024 | Oakland | $90,300 | $1,000 |
| 45 | California Environmental Voters Independent Expenditure Committee | Oakland | $90,000 | $45,000 |
| 46 | HNTB Holdings PAC FEC ID# C00386029, Ltd. | Sausalito | $89,024 | $89,024 |
| 47 | California Alliance for Progress and Education, an alliance of business organizations | Sacramento | $87,500 | $25,000 |
| 47 | Keep California Golden | Sacramento | $87,500 | $17,050 |
| 49 | Planned Parenthood Advocacy Project Los Angeles County Action Fund | Los Angeles | $83,000 | $1,000 |
| 50 | California's Best | Norwalk | $81,000 | $2,500 |
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