When a company, individual, or advocacy group donates to a candidate, one might assume it is because they want that candidate to win. Some, however, seem to play it safe and contribute to both candidates opposing each other in a race, effectively assuring that they end up picking a winner.
According to an analysis conducted by MAPLight.org on the final data from California's 2010 gubernatorial race, many companies, groups, and even a few individuals chose to hedge their bets by contributing to both Jerry Brown and Meg Whitman. MAPLight counted 118 individuals or entities that gave to both candidates.
Between the primary and general election, individuals and organizations may contribute a maximum of $ 51,800 to each candidate.Three companies gave this amount to both Meg Whitman and Jerry Brown: AECOM, AT&T, and HP. AT&T California Employee PAC, a separate contributing entity from AT&T, also gave the maximum amount to both candidates. Google, The GEO Group, and Prime Healthcare Services, Inc. gave $ 25,900 to each candidate, choosing not to tip the scales towards one candidate or another.
Below is the list of entities that contributed to both Brown and Whitman, contributing at least $ 51,800 combined between both candidates. Contributions from married couples are totaled together. Contributions are sorted by total contributions for Governor.
Includes campaign contributions from donors as disclosed on campaign finance filing reports published by the California Secretary of State.
| Contributor | To Brown | To Whitman | Difference | Favors | Total |
| ROBERT & KELLY DAY | $ 103,600 | $ 98,287 | $ 5,313 | Brown | $ 201,887 |
| JOHN & PATRICIA QUINN | $ 10,000 | $ 103,600 | $ 93,600 | Whitman | $ 113,600 |
| FRANK & KATHRINE BAXTER | $ 5,000 | $ 103,600 | $ 98,600 | Whitman | $ 108,600 |
| AECOM | $ 51,800 | $ 51,800 | - | Neither | $ 103,600 |
| AT&T CALIFORNIA EMPLOYEE PAC | $ 51,800 | $ 51,800 | - | Neither | $ 103,600 |
| AT&T INC. AND ITS AFFILIATES | $ 51,800 | $ 51,800 | - | Neither | $ 103,600 |
| DIANE WILSEY | $ 51,800 | $ 51,800 | - | Neither | $ 103,600 |
| HEWLETT PACKARD | $ 51,800 | $ 51,800 | - | Neither | $ 103,600 |
| PASKENTA BAND OF NOMLAKI INDIANS | $ 51,800 | $ 50,900 | $ 900 | Brown | $ 102,700 |
| SYCUAN BAND OF THE KUMEYAAY NATION | $ 51,800 | $ 48,900 | $ 2,900 | Brown | $ 100,700 |
| BARONA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS | $ 51,800 | $ 35,900 | $ 15,900 | Brown | $ 87,700 |
| SAN MANUEL BAND OF MISSION INDIANS | $ 50,900 | $ 35,900 | $ 15,000 | Brown | $ 86,800 |
| SEMPRA ENERGY | $ 32,400 | $ 51,800 | $ 19,400 | Whitman | $ 84,200 |
| COMCAST | $ 51,800 | $ 26,900 | $ 24,900 | Brown | $ 78,700 |
| ELON MUSK | $ 25,900 | $ 51,800 | $ 25,900 | Whitman | $ 77,700 |
| E & J GALLO WINERY | $ 51,800 | $ 25,900 | $ 25,900 | Brown | $ 77,700 |
| HAIM SABAN | $ 51,800 | $ 25,900 | $ 25,900 | Brown | $ 77,700 |
| ALLERGAN | $ 51,800 | $ 25,000 | $ 26,800 | Brown | $ 76,800 |
| AGUA CALIENTE BAND OF CAHUILLA INDIANS | $ 51,800 | $ 20,000 | $ 31,800 | Brown | $ 71,800 |
| MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS | $ 46,578 | $ 25,000 | $ 21,578 | Brown | $ 71,578 |
| ABRAXIS BIOSCIENCE, INC. | $ 30,000 | $ 35,900 | $ 5,900 | Whitman | $ 65,900 |
| CALIFORNIA APARTMENT ASSOCIATION | $ 37,900 | $ 25,900 | $ 12,000 | Brown | $ 63,800 |
| WASTE MANAGEMENT | $ 46,728 | $ 12,750 | $ 33,978 | Brown | $ 59,478 |
| PALA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS | $ 32,400 | $ 25,900 | $ 6,500 | Brown | $ 58,300 |
| OCCIDENTAL PETROLEUM | $ 51,800 | $ 5,000 | $ 46,800 | Brown | $ 56,800 |
| THE IRVINE COMPANY | $ 6,000 | $ 50,000 | $ 44,000 | Whitman | $ 56,000 |
| DONAGHY SALES LLC | $ 31,000 | $ 25,000 | $ 6,000 | Brown | $ 56,000 |
| DISNEY WORLDWIDE SERVICES INC. | $ 30,000 | $ 25,000 | $ 5,000 | Brown | $ 55,000 |
| EDISON INTERNATIONAL | $ 30,000 | $ 25,000 | $ 5,000 | Brown | $ 55,000 |
| BLUE SHIELD OF CALIFORNIA | $ 28,400 | $ 25,900 | $ 2,500 | Brown | $ 54,300 |
| TIME WARNER CABLE | $ 28,400 | $ 25,900 | $ 2,500 | Brown | $ 54,300 |
| $ 25,900 | $ 25,900 | - | Neither | $ 51,800 | |
| PRIME HEALTHCARE SERVICES, INC. | $ 25,900 | $ 25,900 | - | Neither | $ 51,800 |
| THE GEO GROUP, INC. | $ 25,900 | $ 25,900 | - | Neither | $ 51,800 |
