Billionaire Democratic Activist tom Steyer Enters California Governor‘s Race
SACRAMENTO, CA – Billionaire democratic activist Tom Steyer has announced his candidacy for california governor, adding another prominent name to a rapidly evolving field. The move comes after both Vice President Kamala Harris and U.S.Senator Alex Padilla opted not to compete for the state’s top office.
Steyer enters the race as a well-known figure in California and national democratic circles, though his previous attempts at elected office have fallen short. With current Governor Gavin Newsom term-limited and widely considered a potential contender for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination,the governor’s race is shaping up to be a high-stakes battle for the future of California politics.
Among Steyer’s rivals are former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and former Congresswoman Katie Porter, who recently faced public scrutiny following the viral spread of videos showing her interactions with reporters and staff. Also vying for the governorship are former Los Angeles Mayor antonio Villaraigosa, Republican commentator steve hilton, and Riverside County sheriff Chad Bianco.
Steyer is a longtime Democratic donor and activist, having founded NextGen America in 2013, an institution focused on increasing voter turnout among young people. He gained national attention during the Trump management for his vocal opposition to the former president, spending $20 million on an ad campaign in 2017 calling for his impeachment.
Despite his financial resources and political engagement, Steyer’s past bids for office have not yielded success. He considered campaigns for Senate and governor in 2018 but ultimately launched a 2020 presidential run, investing $318 million into his campaign before dropping out after a disappointing result in the South Carolina primary.