Track the millions funding the campaign to recall California’s governor
Updated
Tens of millions of dollars have been raised in the race to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom. Here’s where things stand.
Who has raised the most?
Newsom backers opposing the recall have assembled the largest haul, thanks to fundraising accounts that allow donors to contribute unlimited amounts of cash. Similar committees in favor of the recall have also taken in millions, without backing a particular candidate.
Newsom’s campaign committee has its own war chest, as do his challengers’ campaigns, a growing field that includes Republicans John Cox and Kevin Faulconer, as well as radio host Larry Elder and reality TV star Caitlyn Jenner.
| Total raised | ||
|---|---|---|
| Anti-recall committees A coalition opposing the recall election | $72,794,672 | |
| Larry Elder Talk show host | 13,950,103 | |
| Pro-recall committees A coalition working to recall Newsom | 11,441,676 | |
| John Cox Businessman and venture capitalist | 11,235,636 | |
| Gavin Newsom Governor | 10,555,589 | |
| Kevin Faulconer Former mayor of San Diego | 4,132,728 | |
| Kevin Kiley Assemblymember | 1,059,288 | |
| Caitlyn Jenner Olympian and reality TV star | 885,643 | |
| Jenny Rae Le Roux Businesswoman and author | 775,836 | |
| Doug Ose Former congressman from California | 526,310 | |
| Kevin Paffrath Real estate broker and YouTuber | 463,603 | |
| Edward Moore Gaines Member of the State Board of Equalization | 284,697 | |
| Jeff Hewitt Riverside County supervisor | 189,307 | |
| Anthony D. Trimino Businessman | 127,676 | |
| Samuel L. Gallucci Senior pastor | 119,555 | |
| Leo Zacky Businessman | 52,450 | |
| Jacqueline McGowan Cannabis advocate | 31,487 | |
| Sarah Stephens Paster and motivational speaker | 29,396 | |
| Diego J. Martinez Businessman | 24,843 | |
| Joel A. Ventresca Former member of the San Francisco Airport Commission | 9,300 | |
| James G. Hanink Former university professor | 3,639 | |
| Steve Chavez Lodge Businessman | 1,000 |
Newsom’s defense is outpacing the competition
The governor’s effort to stay in office was boosted by massive infusions of cash to anti-recall campaigns after the recall petition drive gathered steam this spring.
Where is the money coming from?
Receipts filed by the campaigns show the areas they rely on to raise money. The largest sums opposing the recall are flowing in from Sacramento County, home to the statehouse and a broad array of well-resourced lobbying groups.
Top donors supporting the recall
The list of largest donors in favor of the recall includes Republican Party groups and wealthy individuals like Los Angeles real estate developer Geoffrey Palmer. Cox is again largely self-funding his campaign, as he did in the 2018 gubernatorial election he lost to Newsom.
| Total raised | |
|---|---|
| John Cox Candidate and businessman. Cox has also donated to his campaign | $9,775,868 |
| Geoffrey Palmer Real estate developer with multiple Downtown L.A. properties. Has also donated to Faulconer and Elder | 1,264,800 |
| Prov 3:9 LLC Orange County consulting firm | 500,000 |
| Jenny Rae Le Roux Candidate and businesswoman. Le Roux has donated to her campaign | 300,000 |
| Lincoln Club of Orange County Conservative donor group | 298,000 |
| Dixon and Carol Doll Co-founder Doll Capital Management and wife | 248,000 |
| Saul Fox Private equity executive. Also donated to Elder | 232,400 |
| Huck PAC Affiliated with former governor of Arkansas, Mike Huckabee | 225,000 |
| California Republican Party Affliate of the national Repubican Party (GOP) | 187,218 |
| Boyett Petroleum Modesto-based fuel supplier. Also contributed to Faulconer | 181,400 |
| Douglas Leone and Patricia Perkins-Leone Venture capitalist and wife | 149,800 |
| David and Jacqueline Sacks General partner at Craft Ventures and wife | 140,000 |
| Howard and Susan Groff Owners of construction rental company. Also donated to Faulconer | 139,800 |
| Gerald and Carol Marcil Palos Verdes Investments president and wife. Donated to Faulconer | 129,600 |
| Angelique Griepp Made In A Free World board member | 112,000 |
| Kilroy Realty Real estate developer. Has also contributed to Faulconer | 107,300 |
| Chamath Palihapitiya Founder and CEO of Social Capital | 100,000 |
| Hofmann Land Development Real estate developer | 99,500 |
| Kevin Paffrath Candidate and real estate broker. Donated to his campaign | 90,000 |
| Robert Parsons Businessman and co-founder of GoDaddy | 69,800 |
| Anthony Trimino Candidate and businessman. Donated to his campaign | 52,000 |
Top donors opposing the recall
Newsom’s defense is funded in large part by left-leaning millionaires and California lobbying groups, a coalition similar to the one that backed him in 2018 with one large exception: Netflix CEO Reed Hastings.
The streaming mogul donated millions to rival Democrat Antonio Villaraigosa when he opposed Newsom. Hastings and his wife Patty Quillin are now the top donors to Newsom’s cause.
| Total raised | |
|---|---|
| Reed Hastings and Patty Quillin Netflix CEO and wife. Also donated to Newsom | $3,124,000 |
| California Democratic Party Affiliate of the national Democratic Party | 2,511,009 |
| Dignity CA SEIU Local 2015 Advocates for long term caregivers | 2,283,734 |
| California Teachers Assn. Advocates for teachers statewide | 1,815,615 |
| California Correctional Peace Officers Assn. Advocates for prison guards | 1,750,000 |
| California Real Estate PAC Backs candidates or ballot initiatives that support the goals of the California Association of Realtors. Also donated to Newsom | 1,532,400 |
| California Building Industry Assn. Trade association advocates for the building industry. Also donated to Newsom | 1,163,400 |
| Mark W. Heising and Elizabeth D. Simons Founders of the Heising-Simons Foundation. Simons has also donated to Newsom | 1,072,400 |
| Professional Engineers in California Government PAC Advocates for state-employed engineers and related professionals. Has also contributed to Newsom | 1,064,800 |
| SEIU Local 1000 Advocates for SEIU members. Also contributed to Newsom | 1,031,000 |
| AFSCME Advocates for public employees | 1,019,475 |
| George Soros Founder of a investment management firm and Democratic mega-donor. Also donated to Newsom | 1,012,500 |
| George M. Marcus Real estate broker | 1,000,000 |
| California State Association of Electrical Workers Works to improve conditions for all IBEW locals | 1,000,000 |
| Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria Located in Sonoma County | 750,000 |
| California Dental Assn. PAC Advocates for dentists. Has also given to Newsom | 532,400 |
| Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Based in the Palm Springs area | 500,000 |
| United Nurses Association of California/Union of Healthcare Professionals Union representing registered nurses and healthcare workers | 500,000 |
| Stewart and Lynda Resnick Billionaire couple behind Fiji Water and POM Wonderful. Lynda Resnick has also given to Newsom | 314,800 |