Polling Average
25%20%15%10%5%0%
13.2%
18.5%
13.5%
12.2%
11.1%
9.9%
5.1%
California Governor primary: 1st place
$7.9M
JUN 2, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleBusinessman
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
Age68 years old (Jun 27, 1957)
GenderMale
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LocationCalifornia
BackgroundBusinessman
EducationYale University (BA)
Notable personal detailsThomas Fahr Steyer is an American businessman, investor, philanthropist, and Democratic political activist. He founded the hedge fund Farallon Capital and later became prominent for climate advocacy and political spending through efforts such as NextGen America and Need to Impeach. He ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020 and announced a campaign for California governor in November 2025.
SourcesShowHide
en.wikipedia.orgwikidata.orgtomsteyer.comcfr.orgcitizenscount.orges.wikipedia.orgbritannica.comaxios.comcommons.wikimedia.orgru.ruwiki.rueverything.explained.todaylatimes.comru.wikipedia.orgopendata.renenyffenegger.chpresidency.ucsb.educnbc.comwashingtonpost.comwral.comontheissues.orgiowapbs.orgwmur.combreitbart.commedium.comivoterguide.cominsideclimatenews.orgkqed.orgapnews.comunumfund.orgcbsnews.comvotesmart.orgvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgcdn.ballotpedia.orgballotready.orghistory.house.govhouse.govcongress.govjudiciary.senate.govdocquery.fec.govdesaulnier.house.govepw.senate.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports significant tax increases on the very wealthy and closing capital-gains/dividend loopholes to fund expanded social programs; proposes a wealth tax (1% above ~$32 million) and rolling back tax cuts for the wealthy while delivering targeted tax relief for working families. Advocates using revenue from higher taxes on top earners and corporations to expand healthcare, education, infrastructure, and other public investments.
Healthcare
Supports health care as a right and favors building on the Affordable Care Act with a public option rather than implementing Medicare-for-All that would eliminate employer plans. Advocates using government purchasing power and regulation to drive down costs while preserving choice for those with employer-negotiated coverage.
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Immigration & Border
Supports comprehensive, humane immigration reform including a pathway to citizenship, reinstating DACA and expanding TPS, ending family separation and abolishing private immigration detention; opposes construction of a southern border wall while advocating for "smart" border security and reforms to ICE/CBP to prioritize due process and national security. Would decriminalize border crossings (use civil processing) and limit deportations to those convicted of felony crimes, and seeks to expand refugee admissions and asylum protections.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate explicitly identifies as pro‑choice, describes abortion as health care, and supports repealing the Hyde Amendment and protecting reproductive rights. He has worked with and funded pro‑choice organizations and stated he will back policies to preserve abortion access. These positions indicate support for unrestricted access and federal protections for abortion rights.
Climate & Energy
Supports aggressive climate action including declaring a national climate emergency, backing Green New Deal–style legislation, targeting 100% clean electricity by 2040 and net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045, and large federal investments in clean energy and a civilian climate corps.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports strong federal gun safety reforms including universal/background checks, a federal licensing system for gun ownership, waiting periods, red flag (extreme-risk) laws, a ban on new assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, and creation of a federal Office of Gun Violence Prevention. Also supports measures like voluntary buybacks, regulation of ghost/3D-printed guns, and repeal of industry liability protections to increase accountability.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJun 17, 2026
Tom Steyer has fallen short in California’s 2026 governor’s race, finishing third in the state’s top-two primary and failing to advance to the November ballot. He conceded after it became clear he could not catch the top two finishers, Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton. Reports say he spent more than $200 million of his own money on the campaign, making the loss a major setback after a very expensive bid.
en.wikipedia.org+39
Articles
NYNew York Post7 days ago
The rich lefties tried to buy their way to power and failed
Negative
NYNew York Post7 days ago
California primary system forced GOP to get strategic
Negative
LALos Angeles Times7 days ago
Why Tom Steyer’s $216-million gubernatorial bid failed
Negative
FNFox News8 days ago
Tom Steyer concedes California governor's race after jungle primary
Negative
Polls
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
California Governor primary: 1st place
Endorsers of Tom Steyer for California Governor primary: 1st place
California Teachers Association
Elected official
California Teachers Association recommended Tom Steyer for governor.
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Fundraising