The ride-sharing giant donated millions of dollars in the past week, filings show, contributing to the campaigns of Democratic rivals Eric Swalwell and Katie Porter as well as Republican Steve Hilton.
Gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra, far left, former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services and Attorney General of California, speaks during “The Race for California Governor” gubernatorial debate presented by the Black Action Alliance at The Bayview Opera House in San Francisco, Calif.
, on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026. The ride-sharing giant donated millions of dollars in the past week, filings show, contributing to the campaigns of Democratic rivals Eric Swalwell and Katie Porter as well as Republican Steve Hilton.Swalwell, a fierce critic of President Donald Trump in Congress, got the bulk of the funds, with a $2 million contribution to a political action fund backing his campaign. Porter, a former member of Congress from Southern California, received a $150,000 donation. Hilton, a former Fox News contributor married to Uber’s former senior vice president of communications, Rachel Whetstone, got $39,200. The donations mark the first time San Francisco-based Uber has contributed to a governor’s election in its home state, with some of the funds coming from the company directly and others from its political action committees.California governor debate draws backlash over who made the stageCalifornia sheriff running for governor seizes more than a half million ballots from 2025 election “As a California-based company, we’re engaged in this race because Uber has an outsized stake in what happens here,” said Ramona Prieto, Uber’s head of public policy in the Western US. “We’re backing pragmatic candidates committed to keeping our state innovative, competitive and affordable for working families.” Last year, Uber backed both Republican Jack Ciattarelli and Democrat Mikie Sherrill in the New Jersey gubernatorial race, which Sherrill ultimately won. The company said its donations across parties reflect an intention to remain bipartisan. Uber’s California donations underscore the unpredictability of the contest to run the most populous state in the US. A crowded field of candidates — including multiple veteran politicians, a sheriff, a Silicon Valley mayor and a liberal billionaire — are fighting for the top two spots in the June primary. The winners then advance to a November runoff regardless of party affiliation, leaving open the possibility of a Democratic-Republican matchup or even a small but growing chance of a contest between two Republicans. Other major donors, such as billionaires Sergey Brin, Joe Lonsdale and Chris Larsen, have also split their bets among multiple candidates.On Tuesday, the University of Southern California canceled a debate that would have featured only six candidates, after being criticized for the criteria it used to select candidates. Only White candidates had qualified for the event, prompting four candidates of color who were excluded to urge voters to boycott the event. While this is the first time Uber has attempted to sway a California gubernatorial race, the company has fought other fierce political battles in the state. In 2020, Uber, along with other gig-economy companies like Lyft Inc. and DoorDash Inc., spent over $200 million backing a voter referendum that successfully kept the companies’ drivers from being classified as employees. Since that showdown, the company has been more involved in trying to influence California legislation at earlier stages. This year, Uber is backing a ballot measure to limit attorney fees in car-accident cases in California, in an attempt to tamp down on insurance and litigation costs. Opponents say the measure would limit the access low-income accident victims can get to legal representation.Review: Famed classic rock act showcases new lead singer in concertHarriette Cole: Should I ask the bride why she's billing her wedding guests?Canceled USC debate could reshape governor’s race after backlash over exclusions, experts say'Prolific' 64-year-old Oakland drug dealer sentenced to 7 years in federal prisonKurtenbach: Moses Moody's cruel injury proves it — the Warriors' season is truly cursed
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