Climate activist and billionaire Tom Steyer to run for California governor

[GJGCA]

Source: NBC News

Tom Steyer, the billionaire philanthropist and Democratic climate activist who unsuccessfully ran for president in 2020, is jumping into the crowded race to be the next governor of California.

Steyer joins a crowded and uncertain field vying to replace term-limited Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom next fall. Prominent Democratic candidates include former federal Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, former Rep. Katie Porter and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, with other prominent candidates also musing about a potential bid.

Despite the state’s Democratic lean, some prominent Republicans are running too, including Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and former Fox News host Steve Hilton.

In an announcement video posted to social media, Steyer directly attacks America's wealthiest people, who he says have the notion that "they earned everything themselves."

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/climate-activist-billionaire-tom-steyer-run-california-governor-rcna244783

[ificandream]

1. I hate to see this.

I'm a huge Katie Porter fan. I want her to win so badly because I think she'd be a great governor and stand up mightily to Trump. But the bad publicity she's gotten recently has hurt her. I think a primary reason she's taken a hit in the polls is because she's a woman. I've also seen her being fat shamed a lot on Facebook. It's pretty disgusting.

I was hoping Steyer wouldn't run. He did the great commercial for Prop. 50 that I think pretty much won it. (The commercial closed with "Stick It To Trump.&quot I still hope Katie can win. I've also read that Eric Swalwell might run. That would be a tough decision for me, though I still think I'd pick Katie. I sure hope she can win it.

[EuterpeThelo]

3. I'll take Swalwell if he runs.

Long, long, long time fan of Katie and her white board. However, her behavior during the Senate race put me off of her...pouting and saying it was "rigged" wasn't a good look and it left a bad taste in my mouth. And leaving that purple seat in the OC was, I felt at the time, a massive error in judgment that showed a willingness to sacrifice the greater good for personal ambition. We retained that seat, but just barely and the House numbers REALLY mattered that year. Saying this pains me, because I absolutely ADORED her in her role as a House rep.

(Incidentally, Schiff was my rep for 20 years before running for Senate. I desperately wanted another female Senator as Boxer and Harris were the two best we've had in my lifetime, but despite the optics of being the white guy in the race, I truly thought he was the most qualified candidate. My politics align way more with Barbara Lee but, sadly, I didn't think she stood a chance of winning.)

Not that I trust polls anymore, but I am pretty concerned by recent polls showing the R beating Porter. I remember life in CA under R govs like Wilson and Ahhhnold and don't want to repeat that experience EVER again.

FWIW, I've met Tom Steyer at a rally (for Schiff, actually, a couple of years before the Senate race - it was a show of support for Adam in our community the face of attacks from the orange menace). At least on the surface, he seems like a decent sort. I just don't know that we need anymore billionaires in the mix. That said, J.B. Pritzker's doing good work in IL, so I won't automatically discount him based on just that.

Whomever becomes our Democratic nominee will have my full support, in any event.

[ificandream]

4. I've seen those poll numbers, too.

I'm not entirely sure those are current because she's been repeating them for some time and showing no movement (that I've seen). Still crossing my fingers for her.

[2naSalit]

2. He should stay in his lane...

I am not interested in more billionaires in office.

[fujiyamasan]

6. Yeah, not interested

CA voter here. Hard pass from me.

[OldBaldy1701E]

8. Until something changes, they are the only ones who can afford to get elected.

And, something needs to change...

Drastically...

And, soon!

[2naSalit]

14. Sadly true.

[hay rick]

5. If I lived in California I would support him.

Downplaying the climate crisis is a catastrophic mistake.

[fujiyamasan]

7. Maybe he should volunteer to pay everyone's electricity and energy bills

We pay the highest energy costs in the nation partly due to pushing boneheaded policies like shutting nuclear plants down.

[Marie Marie]

9. Ooooh, I'm pulling for Fox News Host Steve Hilton!

We have all seen how skilled and competent these guys are when jumping from Fox to Government leadership positions.

[SamuelTheThird]

10. "behind every great fortune is a great crime"

[Cha]

11. TY... Here's his Bio.. if anyone is interested...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Steyer

[PSPS]

12. Just another cartoon character running for CA governor.

As usual, no experience in governing but has lots of money and media recognition.

[Brother Buzz]

13. Tom Steyer Brings a lot to the table and I applaud him

But California has a deep bench of eminently qualified people.

No telling how it’s gonna shake out, especially when one or two dark horses toss their hats it the ring.

Tom Steyer Would not be my first choice, but I trust his integrity and would totally support him if he won the primary.

I wonder if this will become a Northern vs the Southern California race.

[valleyrogue]

15. The last thing we need is another billionaire in government.

No freaking ass experience holding an elected office yet thinks he can buy the governorship.

Forget this shit.

[Mawspam2]

16. Why do these billionaire bozos with no actual governing experience...

...think they are entitled to jump in at the highest levels of government?

Take a turn at county commissioner first.