Tom Steyer running for California governor as a populist billionaire Politics Nov 19, 2025 2:13 PM EST

Billionaire businessman and activist Tom Steyer, who once self-financed an unsuccessful White House campaign and spent his own money advocating for President Donald Trump’s impeachment, has launched his bid for California governor as a Democrat.

The 68-year-old’s tremendous wealth immediately makes him a notable contender in a free-for-all that includes more than a half-dozen Democrats and two Republicans competing in an all-party June primary, with the top two vote-getters advancing to a November general election to succeed term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Steyer announced his candidacy with a pledge to improve economic conditions and by framing his political record as friendly to co

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