Question 1

Who is Tom Steyer?

Accepted Answer

Tom Steyer is the most progressive candidate on the ballot, running for Governor of California in 2026 with a history of delivering results for California — even when the real politicians couldn't get it done.

Almost 15 years ago, Tom walked away from the successful business he founded, and from billions of dollars, to devote his life to public service. He founded NextGen, the largest youth voter engagement organization in U.S. history, registering over 1.6 million young voters; ran for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination; and led ballot proposition campaigns to defeat Big Oil on climate, close a corporate tax loophole, and take on Big Tobacco.

Question 2

Is Tom Steyer a Democrat?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Tom Steyer is a Democrat — and the most progressive candidate on the ballot in the 2026 California Democratic primary.

Tom has a record of delivering results for California, especially when the real politicians couldn't — leading ballot proposition campaigns to defeat Big Oil on climate, closing a corporate tax loophole for out-of-state companies, and taking on Big Tobacco. He founded NextGen, the largest youth voter engagement organization in U.S. history, registering over 1.6 million young voters, and ran for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination.

Question 3

How did Tom Steyer make his money?

Accepted Answer

Tom made his money as an investor and hedge fund manager. But, in 2012, Tom walked away from the successful business he founded, and from billions of dollars, to devote his life to public service.

He was among the first to sign The Giving Pledge — a commitment to give away the vast majority of his money during his lifetime. Tom co-founded Beneficial State Bank in 2007, a nonprofit community development bank that loans money affordably to working people, small businesses, and non-profit community projects.

Question 4

Who is Tom Steyer's wife and family?

Accepted Answer

Tom and Kat have four grown children and four grandchildren. San Francisco has been their home since 1986.

Along with his wife Kat, Tom pushed to help make California the first in the country to provide free school breakfast and lunches for every kid in the state — a program that now serves more than 300 million healthy meals yearly to the state's school kids using natural food from California farms. Tom and Kat also co-founded Beneficial State Bank in 2007.

Question 5

How old is Tom Steyer?

Accepted Answer

Tom Steyer is 68 years old. He was born November 27, 1957.

Question 6

Where does Tom Steyer live?

Accepted Answer

Tom and his wife Kat live in San Francisco — it's been their home since 1986.

Question 7

What is Tom Steyer's record on climate and giving?

Accepted Answer

Tom led ballot proposition campaigns to defeat Big Oil on climate, closed a corporate tax loophole for out-of-state companies, and took on Big Tobacco to raise the cigarette tax.

He was among the first to sign The Giving Pledge — a commitment to give away the vast majority of his money during his lifetime. He founded NextGen, the largest youth voter engagement organization in U.S. history, registering over 1.6 million young voters. He's the author of New York Times best-seller Cheaper, Faster, Better: How We'll Win the Climate War. Steyer raised billions of dollars for California's healthcare and public schools – without Californians having to pay a cent.

Question 8

Did Tom Steyer run for president?

Accepted Answer

Yes. In 2020, Tom ran for president to talk about climate change and other issues he thought were being overlooked.

After his presidential campaign, he went on to serve as California Governor Gavin Newsom's top economic advisor on the Business and Jobs Recovery Task Force. During Trump's first term, Steyer also led a grassroots campaign to impeach Donald Trump when party leaders wouldn't act, and more than 9 million Americans joined the call.

Question 9

Has Tom Steyer ever held political office?

Accepted Answer

No, but Tom has a long track record of getting things done in Sacramento, when the real politicians couldn't.

His public service since leaving business has included founding NextGen, leading successful ballot proposition campaigns against Big Oil and Big Tobacco, running for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, and serving as Governor Newsom's top economic advisor on the Business and Jobs Recovery Task Force.

Question 10

What is Tom Steyer's plan for California?

Accepted Answer

As governor, Tom will make corporations pay their fair share to fund public schools, launch the largest effort in state history to build affordable homes, break up the utility monopolies to lower electric bills by 25%, and ban corporate PAC money from California elections.

California's housing and utility costs are skyrocketing. Our public schools have been lagging behind for too long. And our politics are dominated by corporate and special interests. What Californians care about are results, and who's going to be able to deliver when it comes to lowering costs. Full policy details.

Question 11

Why Tom Steyer? Why now?

Accepted Answer

Tom Steyer is running for Governor of California because Californians can no longer afford to live here.

This state doesn't work when a few people do unbelievably well, and everyone else does poorly – no matter how many billion-dollar companies we have, or how many new technologies we invent. Tom has a record of delivering results for California, especially when the real politicians couldn't.

Question 12

Who has endorsed Tom Steyer?

Accepted Answer

Tom Steyer is endorsed by a broad coalition of California labor unions, environmental organizations, elected officials, and grassroots groups.

California Nurses Association: "The strong positions Tom Steyer is taking are non-negotiable to us, and his willingness to take them has earned him our endorsement." Our Revolution: "Tom Steyer understands that California's affordability crisis is not inevitable — it's the result of a political system shaped by concentrated wealth and corporate power at the expense of working people." Browse all endorsements.

Meet Tom

For over 15 years, Tom has taken on powerful interests and delivered for California.

Meet Tom

For over 15 years, Tom has taken on powerful interests and delivered for California.

What We're Fighting For