Chevron has contributed $50,000 to a labor union-backed independent expenditure committee supporting Mayor Karen Bass’s re-election campaign. The disclosure, made by Sammy Roth at Climate Colored Goggles, arrives as Los Angeles voters decide the mayoral race. It follows a similar pattern from California’s 2022 gubernatorial primary, when Chevron also funded Xavier Becerra’s campaign. Unlike direct donations, independent expenditure committees operate outside candidate control, yet their financial backing still carries influence. Bass acknowledged the donation on X, calling it “surprising” and urging the company to “use it to lower the astronomical prices Angelenos pay at the pump.” Chevron has not withdrawn the funds.
The oil giant’s political engagement extends beyond campaign contributions. Chevron operates one of the largest refineries in the U.S. in El Segundo, a facility that drew public attention last year when a fire sent smoke across the South Bay. At the time, Bass briefed officials and monitored the incident, which exposed tensions between corporate polluters and local governance. The event raised questions about whether elected leaders would hold such companies accountable for public safety risks.
Bass’s campaign is not the only one receiving corporate backing. Her opponent, City Councilmember Nithya Raman, has support from a construction workers’ union, while Bass has received backing from Airbnb. This contrast highlights a key question: as California moves away from oil dependence, which mayor will oil companies prefer as a partner? Bass, a 73-year-old incumbent, may appear more predictable to corporate interests than Raman, a 45-year-old progressive urban planner.
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Chevron’s donation fits a broader industry strategy of using political contributions to shape policy outcomes. A recent book, Bought To You By, by Amy Westervelt, argues that such funding creates an uneven debate, where corporate influence often overshadows competing perspectives. The imbalance makes it difficult to assess competing ideas fairly when one side benefits from deep-pocketed advocacy.
Oil money raises doubts about accountability
The refinery fire last year tested Bass’s leadership on corporate accountability. While Bass has taken steps to ease financial strain—such as pausing utility shutoffs during record heat—the Chevron contribution complicates perceptions of her priorities.
For voters, the mayoral race extends beyond Bass’s record. It centers on who will guide Los Angeles through the refinery transition in the coming years. Oil companies like Chevron are positioning themselves to align with local leaders whose policies favor their long-term interests. The donation may signal Chevron’s expectation that Bass will avoid aggressive regulatory shifts.
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Bass’s campaign has not elaborated on Chevron’s role beyond her initial X response. The company’s silence leaves the donation’s intent unclear, though the timing suggests a deliberate move. The refinery fire was not the only recent test of corporate accountability in the city. Earlier this year, a blaze at the Lineage cold-storage warehouse in Boyle Heights forced evacuations and exposed risks to public health. The incident, which released hazardous materials, displaced residents in a neighborhood already struggling with high asthma rates and environmental justice concerns.
Systemic risks go unaddressed in city responses
Unlike the Chevron fire, the Lineage incident did not trigger public hearings or policy changes. Instead, the city’s response focused on immediate crisis management, briefings, monitoring, and reassurances, rather than addressing systemic risks. This approach has left some advocates questioning whether corporate polluters face meaningful consequences for safety violations. The pattern suggests a gap between public statements about accountability and actual enforcement.
The $50,000 donation aligns with California’s preparations for a refinery transition. Oil companies are seeking influence over local leadership during this critical period. Bass’s incumbent status may make her a preferred partner, as her decades in public service could signal stability for corporate interests. In contrast, Raman’s background in climate-conscious policy might make her a less favorable ally for Chevron, particularly as the state accelerates its shift away from fossil fuels.