Outside money floods California governor race, reshaping the contest
Independent expenditure committees have poured a record $79.6 million into California’s governor race ahead of the June 2 primary, with donors ranging from PG&E and the California Chamber of Commerce to Silicon Valley figures and unions backing or opposing candidates. The funds, which can’t coordinate with campaigns, are fueling a high-stakes ad war—targeting Tom Steyer while backing frontrunners Xavier Becerra and Matt Mahan—showing how outside money is reshaping the race in the post-Citizens United era.