Uber Technologies donated to three competing candidates in California’s 2026 gubernatorial race, two Democrats and one Republican, a rare move showing the company’s effort to hedge political influence in its home state.
The rideshare and food delivery giant is supporting Democratic candidates Katie Porter and Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA), as well as Republican candidate Steve Hilton, spreading its political bets across party lines as the race to replace term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) intensifies.
Swalwell, a political foe of President Donald Trump, received the largest donation of $2 million, while former congresswoman Porter received $150,000. Hilton received the smallest donation of $39,200.
Uber has previously made donations in the California governor’s race, donating $32,400 to Newsom in 2022. That year, it also donated to several other candidates running for other offices, according to its political engagement report.
Uber’s strategy reflects the high stakes for technology companies in California, where lawmakers have increasingly pursued regulations affecting gig workers, artificial intelligence, and data privacy. By backing multiple candidates, Uber appears to be positioning itself to maintain influence regardless of which candidate ultimately prevails.
“As a California-based company, we’re engaged in this race because Uber has an outsized stake in what happens here,” Ramona Prieto, Uber’s head of public policy in the Western United States, said. “We’re backing pragmatic candidates committed to keeping our state innovative, competitive and affordable for working families.”
California’s 2026 gubernatorial race is shaping up to be one of the most crowded and expensive in the country. Newsom cannot seek a third term, leaving the seat open and drawing a wide field of candidates from both parties.
The state’s “top-two” primary system, in which all candidates compete on the same ballot and the two highest vote-getters advance to the general election regardless of party, has added another layer to the unpredictability. With multiple Democrats splitting the vote, there is a possibility that two Republicans could advance, though Democrats still hold a significant registration advantage.
Uber’s involvement is part of a broader trend of tech companies playing a more active role in California politics.
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In recent years, companies, including Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta and venture capital firms, have launched political action committees to back candidates aligned with their policy priorities, particularly around AI and business regulation.
Having donated to both Republican candidate Jack Ciattarelli and now-Gov. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) in the New Jersey gubernatorial race, Uber is known for taking a bipartisan approach to campaign contributions. It also donated to former Vice President Kamala Harris and then-candidate Donald Trump in 2024.
