Bay Area Donors Shift Federal Giving to National PACs
Local donors and political committees are redirecting campaign dollars toward national super PACs and out-of-state races.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Philanthropy
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The 50 biggest San Francisco-area donors gave more than $100 million to federal campaigns from January 2025 through June 2026, according to a Chronicle analysis of federal campaign finance data. Much of that money is flowing to national super PACs and out-of-state races rather than California contests.
Why it matters
The pattern shows wealthy Bay Area donors concentrating political spending on national committees and races in other states, which bypasses the local races where their money is most often assumed to go. For operators in the region, it signals where high-net-worth giving and political influence are being directed.
The top 50 San Francisco-area donors gave more than $100 million to federal campaigns from January 2025 through June 2026, and the Brockmans alone accounted for $50 million. The Chronicle's analysis counted donors linked to at least one contribution from a San Francisco address and excluded loans.
The players
San Francisco Chronicle
A major Bay Area daily newspaper whose analysis of federal campaign finance data identified the region's top political donors.
MAGA Inc.
A national super PAC aligned with Republican political efforts that received contributions from the Brockmans.
Leading the Future
A pro-AI political group that received contributions from the Brockmans.
The details
Donors' federal contributions were split across national super PACs such as MAGA Inc. and Leading the Future, a pro-AI group, as well as the Invest in Tomorrow Coalition and House Majority PAC. Some local-looking giving also reached out-of-state contests, including toss-up races in Alaska and Michigan. Saikat Chakrabarti loaned his campaign more than $10 million, later converted into a super PAC, while Alex Bores lost his House primary despite $4.5 million in support from You Can Push Back.
Timeline
Since the beginning of 2025: Greg and Anna Brockman begin donating to federal campaigns.
January 2025 through June 2026: period covered by the Chronicle's top-50 donor analysis.
Last year: California voters approve a Democrat-proposed redistricting measure.
Market Landscape
The concentration of Bay Area giving in national super PACs extends a broader pattern in federal campaign finance, where large individual donations increasingly flow through national committees rather than candidate-specific channels. Redistricting and the shift of donor money toward toss-up races in other states reflect how political spending is being reallocated across the country.
Operators in the Bay Area should recognize that high-net-worth political giving is increasingly routed to national committees and out-of-state races, which affects how local business leaders and their networks are engaged in campaigns. Companies that depend on donor relationships for funding or sponsorship should review where those relationships are concentrated.
The takeaway
The main insight is that large regional donor bases can shape national political money without appearing in local races at all. Operators tracking political influence or donor-driven sponsorship should monitor federal filings, which are public, to see where concentrated giving is moving.
Further reading
For context on how major donors direct giving, see Philanthropy coverage on We are Main Street.
Source note: This article includes information reported by San Francisco Chronicle.
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