Tech Investor Backed by Musk Pours Millions into LA City Attorney Race to Defeat DSA-Endorsed Prosecutor

A San Francisco-based tech investor named John Hering is spending over $1.25 million in an effort to defeat Marissa Roy, a prosecutor backed by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), who is running for Los Angeles's top lawyer position. Roy currently serves as a deputy attorney general at the California Department of Justice and played a key role in securing a historic $17 billion settlement from Meta earlier this year.

Hering’s financial backing is part of a broader strategy to support John McKinney, a county prosecutor who faces significant challenges in winning the election. This substantial injection of funds by Hering reflects his deep ties with the tech industry and his willingness to invest heavily in political campaigns that align with his interests. In 2022 alone, Hering’s investment firm Vy Capital contributed $700 million to support Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter and another $300 million to Musk’s tunnel-construction company, The Boring Company.

The city attorney’s office is a critical position in Los Angeles, responsible not only for defending the city against lawsuits but also for shaping legislation and enforcing state laws. Roy has positioned herself as an advocate who would use this power to challenge corporate monopolies and Big Tech companies, which she views as threats to public welfare. "Monopolies and Big Tech are things that [Roy] sees as an opportunity to wage battle against," said former LA City Councilmember Mike Bonin.

Hering’s financial support for McKinney is part of a coalition of tech industry figures who have collectively contributed over $1.9 million towards pro-McKinney committees. This includes contributions from founders of companies like Ring, Tinder, and Boingo, as well as investors in firms such as Anthropic, Anduril, and SpaceX. Airbnb also backed the "Committee to Expand the Middle Class Candidate," donating an additional $4.2 million to support McKinney’s campaign.

In addition to his financial contributions, Hering has been vocal about his political leanings. He donated significant sums to both Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential bid and Donald Trump's 2024 run for president through Musk’s America PAC. Despite this apparent ideological shift, Hering continues to be a prominent figure in tech industry circles, attending high-profile events hosted by the White House.

The race for Los Angeles’s city attorney is part of a larger trend where tech companies are increasingly involved in local and national politics, particularly as lawmakers seek ways to regulate emerging technologies. This involvement underscores the growing influence of the tech sector on political outcomes and highlights the potential conflicts between corporate interests and public interest advocacy.