Polling Average
50%40%30%20%10%0%
37.3%
37%
34%
30%
Democrat
Tom Steyer
Democratic candidate for Governor in California
California Governor winner? (Person)
$13.6M
NOV 4, 2026
General Election
Voters choose the office holder.
Candidate Overview
Key details about the candidate’s background, party, office sought and current campaign.
Current roleInvestor
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
Age69 years old (Jun 27, 1957)
GenderMale
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LocationCalifornia
BackgroundInvestor
EducationYale University (BA)
Notable personal detailsTom Steyer is an American investor, philanthropist, and political activist. He founded Farallon Capital Management in 1986 and later helped found OneCalifornia Bank. He founded NextGen Climate (now NextGen America) in 2013 and launched the Need to Impeach campaign in 2017. He ran for the Democratic nomination for president in 2020.
SourcesShowHide
en.wikipedia.orgwikidata.orgcfr.orgnextgenamerica.orgtomsteyer.comcitizenscount.orgeverything.explained.todaygsb.stanford.eduabcnews.comcapitalresearch.orgit.wikipedia.orgthefamouspeople.comdictionary.tnstatic.hlt.bme.hunews.yale.educongress.goves.wikipedia.orggspp.berkeley.eduexonians.exeter.eduproject-orion-production.s3.amazonaws.comarxiv.orgpresidency.ucsb.educnbc.comwashingtonpost.comwral.comontheissues.orgiowapbs.orgwmur.combreitbart.commedium.comivoterguide.cominsideclimatenews.orgkqed.orgapnews.comunumfund.orgcbsnews.comnationalnursesunited.orgindependent.comabc10.comunitehere11.orgourrevolution.comcouragecalifornia.orgnbcnews.comdavisvanguard.orgedsource.orgfox40.comfacebook.comcalmatters.orgnytimes.comtubefilter.com48hills.orgtherealdeal.comlaist.comoddsshopper.comquery.wikidata.orgfr.wikipedia.orgcdn.ballotpedia.orgballotready.orgfec.govjustfacts.votesmart.orgdocquery.fec.govbioguideretro.congress.govzh.wikipedia.org
Political 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.
Latest News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 15, 2026
Tom Steyer finished third in California’s 2026 gubernatorial primary and did not advance to the November runoff. He conceded after spending more than $200 million of his own money on the race, making this another unsuccessful bid for elected office. The top two spots went to Steve Hilton and Xavier Becerra, while Steyer’s campaign fell short despite heavy spending and advertising.
en.wikipedia.org+62
Articles
NYNew York Post3 months ago
The rich lefties tried to buy their way to power and failed
Negative
NYNew York Post3 months ago
California primary system forced GOP to get strategic
Negative
LALos Angeles Times3 months ago
Why Tom Steyer’s $216-million gubernatorial bid failed
Negative
FNFox News3 months ago
Tom Steyer concedes California governor's race after jungle primary
Negative
Latest Polls
Recent polling results and the candidate's current average in the race.
Tom Steyer currently averages 37.3%, ranking first in this race, 0.3 points ahead of the nearest opponent.
Polling average: 37.3%Position: firstMargin: +0.3 ptsLatest poll: 26.0% (May 23 - 26)Polls included: 3
Average recalculated from polls through May 23 - 26.
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements
- Fundraising