Meta announced the launch of a California-focused political action committee (PAC) named “Mobilizing Economic Transformation Across (Meta) California.”
The PAC will back candidates for state offices from any party who advocate for AI innovation and oppose stringent regulatory measures.
The big picture: Meta plans to spend tens of millions of dollars through the PAC, potentially making it one of California’s top political spenders ahead of the 2026 gubernatorial election.
- California’s next governor will be elected in November 2026; current Gov. Gavin Newsom is a prominent Democratic figure with heightened national visibility.
Go deeper: Meta’s push aligns with its business priorities as it invests billions to compete in the rapidly evolving AI landscape and develop new monetization channels.
- Brian Rice, Meta’s Vice President of Public Policy, emphasized that heavy regulation in Sacramento could hinder AI progress and threaten California’s tech leadership.
- California is one of the most proactive U.S. states in pursuing AI and social media regulations that address safety, transparency, and consumer protection—areas that impact tech companies’ products.
- Brian Rice and Greg Maurer, also a Meta policy VP, will serve as principal officers of the new PAC.
