Meet Tom Steyer: Climate Billionaire Takes On California Governor's Seat
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California billionaire and climate activist Tom Steyer has launched his bid to become the state's next governor. The 68-year-old investor turned philanthropist promised to tackle affordability and corporate power in Sacramento, vowing to make corporations 'pay their fair share' again. Steyer's populist campaign announcement highlighted the struggles of California's working-class residents, who he believes are being 'run over' by the state's high cost of living. Steyer's path to wealth began in New York City, where he was born in 1957. He went on to earn degrees from Yale and Stanford before founding Farallon Capital Management, a San Francisco-based hedge fund. After stepping away from active management in 2012, Steyer dedicated his resources to progressive causes, including climate change, healthcare, and education. The billionaire is married to Kathryn 'Kat' Taylor and has four children with her. His brother, Jim Steyer, is a social justice advocate and author who leads non-profit efforts focused on childhood and technology. Steyer's campaign proposal includes building 1 million affordable homes in four years, reducing energy costs by increasing competition and breaking up utility monopolies, and reforming taxes and housing policies to benefit working-class Californians. The gubernatorial contest is set to be a crowded field, with prominent Democrats and Republicans vying for the seat. Steyer's campaign will face stiff competition from established politicians, but his commitment to addressing California's affordability crisis and taking on corporate power may resonate with voters seeking change.
