Billionaire Steyer's spending binge dwarfs rival campaigns in California governor's race

[groundloop]

Source: AP News

In the wide-open race for California governor, billionaire Tom Steyer is on a spending binge.

The hedge fund manager-turned-liberal activist is using his personal fortune to saturate TV screens and mobile phones with advertising, while his competitors accuse him of trying to use his vast wealth to buy the state’s most powerful job.

Steyer’s ads — in which he promises to bring down household costs or rails against federal immigration raids — appear inescapable at times in heavily Democratic Los Angeles, the state’s largest media market. Data compiled by advertising tracker AdImpact show Steyer has spent or booked over $115 million in ads for broadcast TV, cable and radio — nearly 30 times the amount of his nearest Democratic rival.

If he makes it through the June 2 primary election, Steyer could easily eclipse the 2010 record set by Republican Meg Whitman, who spent $178.5 million in a losing bid for governor, much of it her own money. At the time, it was the costliest campaign for statewide office in the nation’s history.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/california-governor-democrats-tom-steyer-billionaire-6e55c315e687a8cae88012a404753b07

[IbogaProject]

1. Ugh, even if he is a good guy

People smell BS when the advertising is so excessive I am concerned that we don't get one of the two top spots in this Jungle Primary.

[Sibelius Fan]

2. I'm backing Steyer, but am looking forward to the debate.

[ToxMarz]

3. I get tired of these rich people who are only interested in holding the top job, always need to be the "boss".

Would be a lot more supportive of him if he did the hard work in the trenches and worked his way up. He just pops his head up when there is a Governor or Presidential election coming up. His only real distinguishing qualification is he is rich and can outspend everyone else.

[kimbutgar]

4. Sorry as 4th generation Californian I can not vote for Steyer

He has no government experience, is a rich out of touch guy who is trying to buy the governorship. I fast forward his commercials and think he is bs. And also he gained millions investing in the prison industrial complex paid for by taxpayer money!

He is trying to buy the governorship by airing commercials on TV all the time. We already have a president who saturated tv airwaves and had his rich friends buy the presidency.

NO to Steyer ! Wake up California it’s all about him gaining power and making money of the governship.

[chowder66]

5. I'm leaning towards Becerra

The following is a copy/paste from Indivisible of California (Al Wei) on CA gubernatorial candidates' policies and experience on #climate and #FossilFuels

— Rhuta Bhayga (@rhutabhayga.bsky.social) 2026-04-18T14:22:47.387Z

[kimbutgar]

6. Same here about Becerra

[chowder66]

7. I'll be tuning into the upcoming debates.

April 22 California Governor Debate
April 28 Pomona College Debate
May 5th CNN in Los Angeles Debate