Liberal Environmentalist Billionaire Tom Steyer Enters California Gov Race, Slammed By Katie Porter

Billionaire Tom Steyer is hopping into the crowded California gubernatorial race, and he’s already getting attention in the competitive contest.

Steyer unsuccessfully sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020 and has made a name for himself in the liberal climate activism world. He “self-financed” $342 million in his failed bid, according to Open Secrets.

“The richest people in America think that they earned everything themselves,” he said in his campaign launch video. “Bulls***, man. That’s so ridiculous. There’s a reason everybody comes here to start businesses; because this is the place that invents the future.”

Former Rep. Katie Porter, who’s considered a frontrunner in the race, slammed Steyer’s campaign launch.

“A new billionaire in our race claims he’ll fight the very industries he got rich helping grow — fossil fuel companies, tobacco, and private immigration detention facilities — at great cost to Californians. I call bulls***,” Porter wrote.

The former congresswoman faced calls to exit the gubernatorial race following a viral interview with CBS News and a resurfaced clip reported by Politico where she told a staffer to “get out of my f***ing shot” while recording a video with then-Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm.

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“Californians are looking for a Governor who actually understands how a spike in utility bills or an increase in housing costs cripples our families’ budgets. But I need your help to fight back against the billionaires and corporate-funded campaigns,” she continued, asking people to “chip in” to her race.

The Washington Free Beacon pointed out Federal Election Commission records in which Steyer donated thousands to Porter’s past congressional campaigns. Porter ran for Senate in 2024 unsuccessfully, as now Sen. Adam Schiff and Republican Steve Garvey advanced to the general election, and she came in a distant third place.

The field in the top-two primary includes Democrats such as Porter, former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Ramón Villaraigosa, former California State Assembly Majority Leader Ian Calderon, and former California State Controller Betty Yee, among others. On the Republican side, former Fox News host Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco are in the running.

“You’re complaining about California’s ‘cost of living’? Look in the mirror!” Hilton posted in response to Steyer’s announcement. “It’s your insane ‘climate agenda’ that caused the problem!” Hilton’s point is likely to be tested on the campaign trail, as the state is facing mounting concerns about how refinery closures could impact gas prices in the Golden State.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is termed out in 2027, and Sen. Alex Padilla decided against running to be his successor.