Gubernatorial candidate Tom Steyer, right, meets attendees after the California Governor Candidate Forum at the California Science Center in Los Angeles in January. Tom Steyer must solve this dilemma: How does he convince financially struggling Californians they can trust a billionaire to be their governor? Gavin Newsom’s Proposition 50 that allowed the Legislature to gerrymander congressional districts aimed at gaining five more Democratic seats in California. Being a billionaire allows Steyer to buy all the TV spots he wants. “California voters do not cotton to some rich guy who has never spent a day in office but looks in the mirror one morning and suddenly sees a governor of California,” says veteran Democratic strategist Garry South.

Source: Los Angeles Times February 17, 2026 00:31 UTC