Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan launches dark-money group to influence CA politics

I think rich people have too much influence, I probably agree with Garry Tan on a lot but we need to get money out of politics. Let’s face it we’re all meant to get one vote but rich people spend money on this stuff so that they manipulate what and who can be voted for.

I do think that if this current system is the result of democracy + the internet we need to seriously reconsider how democracy works because it’s currently failing everyone but the ultra wealthy.

Re: Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan launches dark-money group to influence CA politics

#6

Post by text0404 » Wed, Feb 11, 2026, 8:58 PM UTC

"Garry's List" is just straight up AI slop. This is a window into the coming AI-enabled era of astroturfing from wealthy individuals for their pet causes.

Re: Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan launches dark-money group to influence CA politics

#7

Post by bhouston » Wed, Feb 11, 2026, 8:59 PM UTC

He is probably going after Ro Khanna, who comes across as a pretty decent rep (he and Massie got the Epstein files released):

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ro_Khanna

Based on this warning from Garry to Ro re: wealth tax

https://finviz.com/news/277038/y-combinators-garry-tan-warns...

So this appears to be all about the wealth tax and taken down anyone who supports it.

AIPAC is also mad at Ro so it seems that Garry Tan can find common cause with them:

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1GRXZqcQiU/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Re: Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan launches dark-money group to influence CA politics

#8

Post by ajross » Wed, Feb 11, 2026, 9:00 PM UTC

vincentjiang wrote: post #4

hate to see that tech leaders getting into politics

I'd prefer to see more of them do so, personally. That said, to watch Tan wading into a local fistfight about school curriculum and housing zoning and whatnot in the age of ICE abduction, targetted political prosecution and wanton macroeconomic regulatory chaos seems... frustrating.

I mean, I kinda agree with him about most of the centrist stuff. But really, Gary? This is what you need to be spending your money and time on?

Re: Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan launches dark-money group to influence CA politics

#9

Post by Spivak » Wed, Feb 11, 2026, 9:00 PM UTC

At this point it's just boring to have another rich asshole using government to protect their own interests. There's no substance or principle to it, it's just whatever policies makes CA more favorable to other rich assholes.

Re: Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan launches dark-money group to influence CA politics

#10

Post by piker » Wed, Feb 11, 2026, 9:00 PM UTC

text0404 wrote: post #6

"Garry's List" is just straight up AI slop. This is a window into the coming AI-enabled era of astroturfing from wealthy individuals for their pet causes.

Guess we know where those 15KLOCs/day went.