Billionaire businessman and activist Tom Steyer is officially running for governor of California, entering a packed and unpredictable race to
Billionaire businessman and activist Tom Steyer is officially running for governor of California, entering a packed and unpredictable race to replace outgoing Gov. Gavin Newsom.
According to The Associated Press, Steyer, 68, announced his campaign on Wednesday, positioning himself as a Democrat focused on affordability, economic reform and environmental protection.
His enormous personal fortune immediately makes him a formidable contender in a field with more than six Democrats and two Republicans vying for the top two spots in the all-party June primary.
“Californians deserve a life they can afford,” Steyer said in a campaign video. “But the Californians who make this state run are being run over by the cost of living.”
His entry shakes up a race that had no clear frontrunner.
Candidates like progressive Rep. Katie Porter, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra is already jockeying for support.
