Millions in Outside Spending Reshape California Lieutenant Governor Race

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California’s lieutenant governor race has been dramatically reshaped by more than $5.7 million in independent spending from San Francisco donor and Democratic activist Steve Phillips on behalf of former Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs.

According to reporting by the Sacramento Bee, a Phillips-funded committee, Friends of Michael Tubbs, spent roughly $4.7 million between April and May, far exceeding Tubbs’ own campaign spending and making Phillips the single largest financial force in the race.

The spending is significant because Tubbs entered the contest trailing better-funded rivals. State Treasurer Fiona Ma has maintained the strongest traditional campaign operation, with an estimated $4 million to $5 million cash on hand, while Josh Fryday has reported roughly $1.5 million to $2 million available for the final stretch.

Combined, the major candidates have raised and spent an estimated $10 million to $12 million through their campaigns. Independent expenditure committees have added well over $6 million, with the overwhelming majority of that spending benefiting Tubbs.

The race includes Democrats Fiona Ma, Michael Tubbs, and Josh Fryday, along with Republicans Gloria Romero and David Fennell. Under California’s top-two primary system, only the two highest vote-getters advance to November, regardless of party affiliation.

Phillips, an early supporter of former President Barack Obama, told the Bee he views Tubbs as a long-term political investment and a potential future statewide leader.

The independent spending campaign has not been limited to promoting Tubbs. A separate committee funded largely by Phillips has focused voter attention on a lawsuit involving Fiona Ma and a former employee that resulted in a $350,000 state settlement. Ma has denied wrongdoing and maintains the settlement was not an admission of liability.

There is no evidence Tubbs’ campaign coordinated with the independent committees, which are legally prohibited from coordinating with candidates.

With several candidates competing for the same Democratic voters, the late flood of outside money could play a decisive role in determining which two candidates advance from the June primary to the November runoff. In a top-two system where margins can be razor-thin, outside spending may prove to be one of the defining factors of the race.