FACT CHECK: Chevron’s $500,000 for Xavier Becerra Doesn’t Disappear Because He Says So

After Texas-based Chevron funds pro-Becerra Super PAC, Becerra tries to deny that the oil giant is backing his campaign

CALIFORNIA — As Californians shell out record prices at the pump this Memorial Day weekend — including an extra 60 to 80 cents per gallon at Chevron stations — the Texas-based oil giant is using its windfall profits to pour another $500,000 into electing its preferred candidate for governor: Xavier Becerra.

When asked about the contribution by KMPH reporter Dania Romero, Becerra claimed it was “an outright lie” to say Chevron supported him because the money went to an independent expenditure committee instead of directly to his campaign account.

Chevron has also given a maximum contribution directly to Becerra’s campaign. 

“Chevron is charging Californians record gas prices on one hand and turning right around to spend $500,000 to elect Xavier Becerra with the other,” said Steyer for Governor spokesperson Danni Wang. “Now Becerra is playing semantic gymnastics trying to pretend voters are too stupid to understand how dark money in politics works. Californians aren’t buying it.”

As Attorney General, Becerra “stayed mum” on an investigation into ExxonMobil. In this campaign, he also backed increasing oil drilling in California and continues benefiting from millions in corporate-backed outside spending. 

In contrast, Steyer has spent over a decade taking on Big Oil and winning. He fought for and won nearly $2 billion for clean energy in schools. Steyer has released a robust plan to bring down costs for California families by expanding clean energy innovation and making polluters pay. 

Tom is endorsed by prominent climate experts and environmental champions, including: Sierra Club, California Environmental Voters, Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund, Bill McKibben, and Jane Fonda. 

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