More than 40 percent of the $60 million raised by California's major political parties during the 2016 cycle came from organizations that gave to both parties, according to a MapLight analysis.
The donations skewed Democratic; of the 117 organizations that contributed more than $25 million to both parties, 76 gave more to the California Democratic Party and 31 gave more to the California Republican Party. Ten gave the same amount to both parties.
The amount of money given skewed Democratic, as well. Among the groups contributing to both parties, the average contribution to the Democratic Party was more than two-and-a-half times greater than the average contribution to the Republican Party. In total, the California Democratic Party raised $39.8 million during the 2016 cycle. The state Republican Party raised $20.9 million.
While individuals, business entities and political action committees contributing to candidates for office in California face limits on the amount of their contribution, political parties face no such restrictions - making the parties a major factor in California politics. During the 2016 cycle, the two parties together raised twice as much money as the amount raised by candidates in the 2014 gubernatorial race.
Top Contributors to California Political Parties for 2016 Cycle
| California Democratic Party | California Republican Party |
| $3,150,000 California Hospital Association* |
$1,850,000 No on 56 - Stop the Special Interest Tax Grab - Earmarked for Member Communication** |
| $1,371,000 California Association of Realtors |
$1,055,000 California Hospital Association* |
| $1,086,950 AT&T |
$885,000 Chevron |
| $920,750 Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) |
$850,000 California Association of Realtors |
| $870,000 California Teachers Association |
$820,711 Philip Morris USA |
*California Hospital Association includes the California Hospital Association PAC and the California Hospitals Committee on Issues.
**Top three funders to No on 56 - Stop the Special Interest Tax Grab: Philip Morris USA, R.J. Reynolds and Altria Group.
Top 20 Organizational Contributors Giving to Both Parties in 2016 Cycle
| Contributor | California Democratic Party | California Republican Party |
| California Hospital Association | $3,150,000 | $1,055,000 |
| California Association of Realtors | $1,371,000 | $850,000 |
| AT&T | $1,086,950 | $637,969 |
| Pacific Gas and Electric | $920,750 | $646,100 |
| Chevron | $415,000 | $885,000 |
| San Manuel Band of Mission Indians | $415,000 | $379,800 |
| Pechanga Band of Luiseno Mission Indians | $505,000 | $245,205 |
| Edison International | $390,000 | $354,800 |
| California Cable and Telecommunications Association | $503,326 | $240,000 |
| California Correctional Peace Officers Association | $485,080 | $138,500 |
| California Professional Firefighters | $591,720 | $11,957 |
| California Dental Association | $480,000 | $119,800 |
| Farmers Insurance Group | $227,500 | $247,700 |
| Sempra Energy | $270,000 | $189,800 |
| Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation | $400,000 | $23,000 |
| California Medical Association | $297,600 | $119,800 |
| California Resources Corporation | $165,000 | $224,800 |
| Blue Shield of California | $242,000 | $91,200 |
| California Charter School Association Advocates | $221,000 | $110,000 |
| BNSF Railway | $185,000 | $135,200 |
MapLight analysis of campaign contributions to California Democratic Party and California Republican Party during the 2015-2016 election cycle. All numbers are based on latest data made available by the California Secretary of State as of June 12, 2017.
