Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has reportedly moved to expand its political influence in California ahead of the 2026 elections by launching a super PAC to support state-level candidates who favor looser technology regulations, particularly concerning artificial intelligence. This initiative aligns with the company’s efforts to safeguard California’s status as a technology hub amid concerns that stringent oversight could stifle innovation.
A super PAC is an independent political committee that can raise and spend unlimited funds from individuals, corporations, and unions to support or oppose candidates. It can not coordinate directly with campaigns or parties and was created after 2010 US court rulings that loosened campaign finance rules. The group, named Mobilizing Economic Transformation Across California, will reportedly back candidates from the Democratic and Republican parties who prioritize AI innovation over stringent regulations.
According to Politico, Meta plans to spend tens of millions of dollars through the PAC, which could make it one of the top political spenders in the state in the run-up to the 2026 governor’s race. The initiative echoes efforts by other tech giants such as Uber and Airbnb, which have used mega-donor political strategies to influence policy in California.
Meta’s vice president of public policy, Brian Rice, was quoted as saying, “Sacramento’s regulatory environment could stifle innovation, block AI progress, and put California’s technology leadership at risk.” Rice will head the PAC along with Greg Maurer, another public policy executive, as principal officers. California has been one of the most active states in advancing AI and social media regulation, with officials set to decide on safety, transparency, and consumer protection rules that could affect technology companies’ products.
Meta also spent over $518,000 in state lobbying this spring to challenge AI safety legislation, which would impose safety and transparency standards on large AI models. Meta’s new super PAC joins a growing wave of tech-industry political engagement, with rival network Leading the Future being another example, backed by Andreessen Horowitz and OpenAI President Greg Brockman, which aims to promote pro-AI policies with over $100 million in funding.