Tech Execs Turn to Politics

As important as 2010 elections could be, they stand out as well for the plethora of technology executives currently positioned to take major roles in government. Meg Whitman, the former CEO of eBay, and Carly Fiorina, former CEO of Hewlett Packard, are the leading headliner-getters this year, as they compete for California governor and U.S. senator, respectively. Their fortunes are playing a big role in their campaigns (Whitman has donated $100 million to her campaign so far). The same goes for Rick Snyder, the former Gateway CEO who came from political obscurity to win the GOP nomination for the Michigan governor’s seat. This emerging class of technology executives-turned-politicians has some role models to look up to; Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia helped found Nextel, and former Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel made millions in the telecom space. The godfather of all is New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg, whose eponymous financial news and information company continues to expand its reach. Here are some of the tech execs making waves in this campaign season.