Parker’s interest in politics spiked after the 2010 elections in California, in which he supported Gov. Jerry Brown and fellow Democrat Kamala Harris for attorney general. He saw how individuals could shape national policy when they both declined to defend Proposition 8, the voter-approved measure that outlawed same-sex marriage in California. To Parker, their stand triggered a nationwide “domino effect” that led to same-sex marriage now being legal in 35 states.
“It was an awakening for me that politics could make a meaningful difference in people’s lives,” he said.
Since then, he has spent hours picking Brown’s brain (though he also cites Republican donor Charles Munger Jr. as an inspiration, largely for the way he bankrolled political reforms).
Parker contributed $1 million toward Brown’s pet project in the November election — a $7.1 billion water bond and a rainy-day fund for the state budget, which both passed. He also gave $100,000 to Proposition 47, a victorious measure designed to reduce the penalties for nonviolent property and drug crimes supported by former GOP House Speaker Newt Gingrich as well as Democrats.
More @ SFGate
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