Billionaire Tom Steyer Enters Crowded 2026 Calif. Governor Race

Published 10 hours ago·Updated 9 hours ago

story

Above: Tom Steyer speaks onstage at the 2024 TIME Earth Awards Gala in New York City on April 24, 2024. Image credit: Roy Rochlin/Getty Images

The Spin

Democratic narrative

Steyer brings proven business success and genuine commitment to tackling California's cost-of-living crisis through concrete solutions like breaking utility monopolies and building affordable housing. Unlike typical politicians, this climate advocate walked away from billions to fight corporate interests and has consistently championed progressive causes with his own resources for over a decade.

NBC The New York Times

Tom Steyer on X

Republican narrative

Tom Steyer's gubernatorial bid represents another wealthy hypocrite trying to buy political power while pushing the same failed green policies that created California's affordability crisis. This billionaire climate activist co-founded a green investing firm yet claims he'll fix electricity costs that his own environmental agenda helped skyrocket through aggressive renewable mandates and cap-and-trade programs.

FOX News BizPac Review

Establishment-critical narrative

California's ruling class is a closed shop, and billionaire Tom Steyer is just its latest face. He claims he’ll fight the same fossil fuel, tobacco and detention industries he profited from, but that's the establishment hustle. Liberal or conservative, voters never win when their elected officials govern on bribery, corruption and performative liberalism.

Katie Porter on X Unherd