Xavier Becerra employing senior campaign adviser whose firm works for Metas super PAC | Latest Tech News
A senior adviser to California’s Democratic gubernatorial frontrunner Xavier Becerra is working for his election campaign at the same time that her advisory firm is working for Meta’s super PAC, The Post has realized.
Courtni Pugh, a accomplice at Democratic advisory firm Hilltop Public Solutions, has served as a senior adviser to Becerra since at least April. Pugh teamed up with Becerra after earlier stints working for outgoing Gov. Gavin Newsom and disgraced ex-Rep. Eric Swalwell – who nixed his own gubernatorial run over misconduct allegations.
Meanwhile, Mobilizing Economic Transformation Across (META) California, Meta’s state super PAC, has paid Hilltop Strategies at least $232,000 since September 2025, according to campaign finance data reviewed by The Post. The most current cost was this past September for $15,000.
Xavier Becerra has a commanding lead in polls for the California gubernatorial race. Pedro Colo for CA Post
Most of the funds determine Hilltop’s function for the super PAC as “campaign consultants,” while one cost is recognized as reimbursement for “information technology costs.” Mobilizing Economic Transformation Across (Meta) California was shaped particularly to help elect tech-friendly candidates and dodge strict laws on artificial intelligence.
When approached for remark, Hilltop accomplice Jeremy Van Ess said Pugh “has no role in Hilltop’s work” for the META California super PAC.
“It is staffed and run exclusively from an office on the other side of the country,” Van Ess said in a assertion. “She has had nothing to do with this engagement at any stage, and any suggestion otherwise is wrong.”
The Becerra campaign and Meta declined to remark.
Last month, The California Post recognized Pugh as a “name to watch” among figures who might maintain sway in a potential Becerra gubernatorial regime – probably in a more everlasting senior adviser function.
In California, Pugh also has been working on efforts to defeat Proposition 39, a voter ID poll measure, and Prop. 40, a controversial billionaire’s tax measure that has drawn criticism from Big Tech bigwigs including Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg and Google’s Sergey Brin.
DNC delegate Courtni Pugh attends the California Democratic Party delegation breakfast at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago, Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
The potential battle of curiosity isn’t just theoretical. Newsom notably vetoed a major AI security invoice that Meta and Google had lobbied against in 2024.
“Consultants like Pugh trade on their proximity to power, like their ties to Newsom and Becerra, to land big-paying corporate clients like Meta,” a Democratic strategist who requested anonymity told The Post. “The real question is what kind of access they’re promising those clients.”
Becerra is seen as a digital lock to develop into governor after coming into Election Day with a commanding lead over Republican challenger Steve Hilton in the polls.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg seems at an event. Bloomberg via Getty Images
Becerra campaign spokesperson Jonathan Underland beforehand said the candidate has a “consistent” monitor document of “holding corporations accountable.”
“As Attorney General, Becerra took Facebook to court in an investigation of the company’s privacy practices,” the assertion said. “As Governor, he will continue to fight to keep Californians safe, affordable, and stand up against Trump’s power grab.”
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra votes during the US midterm elections in Sacramento, Calif., Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. REUTERS
Aside from its work with META California, Hilltop is co-running another Meta-backed super PAC, the American Technology Excellence Project, alongside Republican operative Brian Baker.
The connections between Meta, Becerra and Hilltop might additional inflame critics who have already warned that the Instagram and Facebook guardian is making an attempt to affect the probably future governor – who can be in a place to signal or veto state payments with major implications for artificial intelligence, social media and other hot-button regulatory points.
As The Post reported last week, the Meta super PAC poured about $1 million in last-minute money into Becerra’s campaign in 5 installments between Oct. 20 and Oct. 27. That got here in addition to $1.2 million that the super PAC funneled toward his trigger last May.
Julianna Arnold, cofounder of the children online security nonprofit Parents Rise, said the donations are troubling because “California has the chance to lead the nation in reining in companies like Meta.”
“My daughter Coco was groomed on Instagram and died of a fentanyl-laced pill. I don’t know what Meta expects in return for this spending,” Arnold told The Post. “I know what survivor parents expect, which is a governor who will take on this industry as if their children’s lives depend on it. Because they do.”
Stay informed with the latest in tech! Our web site is your trusted source for breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, gadget launches, software program updates, cybersecurity, and digital innovation.
For recent insights, skilled coverage, and trending tech updates, go to us frequently by clicking right here.
