The move is the latest underscoring how Silicon Valley’s deep-pocketed executives are increasingly wielding influence in California politics and beyond.
In the latest sign that Silicon Valley titans are increasingly throwing their weight behind political issues, Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings has contributed $2 million to support Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Proposition 50 campaign.
The move is the latest underscoring how Silicon Valley’s deep-pocketed executives are increasingly wielding influence in California politics and beyond.
The November ballot measure would scrap California’s independent redistricting commission, returning map-drawing authority to the state legislature, where Democrats hold firm majorities.
Backers argue the change would counterbalance GOP-led gerrymanders in states like Texas and Florida, potentially netting Democrats half a dozen U.S. House seats in 2026.
Hastings’ donation highlights the growing role of tech fortunes in political fights. The Netflix co-founder has long been a high-profile donor, previously giving $3 million to Newsom’s 2021 recall defense. He has also funded statewide education reform initiatives and donated heavily to national Democratic causes.Other Silicon Valley figures are joining him
Ron Conway, one of the Valley’s most prolific angel investors, has pledged support, and Y Combinator’s Paul Graham gave $500,000. Their involvement echoes a broader trend: Tech executives are increasingly channeling personal wealth into shaping policy outcomes, often through ballot measures where their dollars can have an outsized impact.
