As business rejoins the political fray, beware the consultant class

California’s business community is now formally organizing to fight the policies and the politicians jeopardizing the future of this state.But if they use the same the playbook and players that get rich off our political dysfunction every election, nothing is going to change.Last week, Bloomberg reported that California’s wealthiest residents have been privately raising funds for a new kind of political vehicle: a $500 million endowment designed to finance friendly campaigns through its investment returns, rather than individual donations.According to its backers, the aim of the fund, called California Renewal, is to make the state “more affordable and pro-growth,” giving business-minded donors a presence in local politics to rival entrenched labor interests.While the idea of “taking on the California political establishment” isn’t new, the scale, urgency, and most importantly, the level of frustration from middle-class Californians, is.For those of us still fighting for California while friends have fled to Texas or Florida, a $500 million campaign to drive real change sounds incredible — like the cavalry finally arriving.

A serious effort to take on the incompetence that let my home and community burn in Pacific Palisades, challenge the policies pushing out the industries that built this state, and get the California Dream off life support? Let’s roll.Just one request: Don’t let the political consultant class do what they always do, and convince you campaigns must be run their way, which conveniently prioritizes massive fees over the best strategy.Like the military-industrial complex, this ecosystem is deeply conflicted from the kind of innovation and creativity this effort demands.More of the same is no longer an option.In many ways, political campaigns today are just media-buying operations.

In 2024, over half of all campaign spending went to advertising.The consultants placing those buys typically earn 10% to 15% commissions, which create...