Sponsored message
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

News

Meg Whitman Her Own Biggest Campaign Donor; Former CEO Gave Herself $40 Million This Month

This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.

GOP gubernatorial candidate-hopeful Meg Whitman's big bucks in her campaign coffers has helped push her to the forefront of the race to the state capitol. By March the former CEO of eBay had raised $21 million for her own cause, of which $20 million had come from her own pocket.

Now she has escalated her check writing, again to herself. State records show that Whitman donated $40 million to herself via two checks issued on April 5th and 6th respectively. California Watch takes a look at what the wealthy Whitman's funding practices mean:

As Whitman's campaign unfolds, a California Watch analysis shows that she continues to rely on her own funds for campaign expenditures to a degree never before seen in California politics. The $79 million that she has donated to her own campaign represents 85 percent of her war chest. Put another way, political supporters are contributing only 15 cents for every $1 Whitman spends.

Unfortunately, no matter how many dollars she spends, Whitman can only cast one vote for herself.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.

Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.

If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.

Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today