Steyer leads the wave of 2026 endorsements from NRDC Action Fund, which includes more than 60 U.S. House and Senate candidates who are driving the charge on climate action

SAN FRANCISCO — Today, the NRDC Action Fund announces its endorsement of Tom Steyer for California governor. The prominent climate organization named Steyer to its 2026 slate of candidates who will safeguard environmental protections and create healthier communities for all. 

“One doesn’t need to look further than California to see how climate change is ravaging our planet,” Manish Bapna, President & CEO of the NRDC Action Fund said. “As wildfires and extreme heat devastate communities, Californians — and the nation — desperately need a governor who will aggressively defend our climate. For over 15 years, Tom Steyer has been at the forefront of the climate movement as an activist, philanthropist, and business leader. He’s defended California’s landmark emissions reduction legislation, working with allies across labor, public health, and the environmental movement to defeat Big Oil. He has a proven record of taking bold action to protect our communities and hold polluting industries accountable, which is exactly what we need right now.”

“California must remain a global leader in the fight against climate change,” Steyer said. “I have spent the past 15 years leading successful ballot campaigns to hold Big Oil accountable and advance real climate solutions. Now, we must keep moving forward by enacting bold policies that accelerate the transition to clean energy, protect our environment, and lift up working families. The endorsement of the NRDC Action Fund is a mark of distinction, and I look forward to working with them to build a sustainable future that works for everyone.”

The endorsement follows the California Federation of Labor Unions, AFL-CIO, AFSCME 3299, the largest union representing University of California employees, and California Federation of Teachers endorsement of Steyer. The long list of support Steyer has earned since the launch of his campaign also includes the United Domestic Workers, California School Employees Association, the California Nurses Association, California Environmental Voters, as well as Former State Senate Leader and Speaker of the California State Assembly Toni Atkins, Congressman Ro Khanna, Senator Henry Stern, Senator Caroline Menjivar and Assemblymembers Mia Bonta, Isaac Bryan, Gregg Hart, Ash Kalra, Alex Lee, Chris Ward, and Rick Chavez Zbur.

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