YC's Garry Tan Launches "Garry's List" to Support Moderate Political Candidates in California

Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan has launched a new nonprofit organization called "Garry's List" that aims to support moderate and pragmatic political candidates in California while promoting pro-growth policies.

The initiative, which Tan describes as "part-PAC, part-blog, part incubator for Silicon Valley politics," represents a new entry in the network of big-money political operations emerging from the tech industry. The organization will focus on backing candidates who align with what Tan characterizes as centrist, business-friendly approaches to governance.

According to the announcement, Garry's List will operate as a nonprofit dedicated to identifying and supporting political candidates who represent "moderate/pragmatic" viewpoints. The organization plans to leverage Silicon Valley's resources and expertise to influence California's political landscape, particularly in areas related to economic growth, innovation policy, and regulatory reform.

The launch comes amid growing political engagement from tech industry leaders who have increasingly turned their attention to state and local politics. Tan's initiative appears to position itself as an alternative to more ideologically driven political organizations, emphasizing practical solutions over partisan positioning.

Key aspects of Garry's List include:

• Focus on moderate and pragmatic candidates across party lines
• Emphasis on pro-growth economic policies
• Integration of Silicon Valley's technological and business expertise into political advocacy
• Combination of traditional PAC activities with content creation and candidate incubation

The organization has already begun building connections within California's political ecosystem, with Tan leveraging his position as Y Combinator CEO to attract attention and support from the tech community. The initiative reflects a broader trend of tech industry leaders seeking to translate their business success into political influence.

This development follows a pattern of increased political activity from Silicon Valley figures who have grown frustrated with what they perceive as regulatory overreach and anti-business sentiment in California politics. Tan's approach appears to emphasize coalition-building across traditional party lines rather than advancing a strictly partisan agenda.

The launch has generated discussion within both the tech and political communities about the role of wealthy tech executives in shaping state-level policy debates. Critics have raised questions about the potential for outsized influence by tech industry leaders, while supporters argue that business expertise can bring valuable perspective to political decision-making.

Garry's List represents the latest example of how tech industry leaders are seeking to extend their influence beyond the business world into the realm of public policy and governance. The organization's success will likely depend on its ability to build broad coalitions while maintaining credibility with both political insiders and the tech community that Tan hopes to mobilize.

The initiative also highlights the ongoing debate about the appropriate role of wealthy individuals and corporations in political processes, particularly in a state like California where tech industry interests often intersect with complex policy challenges around housing, transportation, and economic development.

As Garry's List begins its operations, it will face the challenge of translating Silicon Valley's problem-solving approach to the often messy world of politics, while navigating the complex relationships between business interests, public policy, and democratic governance.