The California governor’s race isn’t just important for Californians. At a moment where the federal government is sabotaging American democracy from within, the question of how the leader of the union’s wealthiest and most populous state responds — and the ways they use their powers to challenge federal authority — has major implications for the country.
The current governor, Gavin Newsom, has (at least rhetorically) positioned himself as a leader of the national anti-Trump resistance. But Newsom is on his way out, gearing up for an all-but-assured White House run in 2028. The real policy action will likely be up to his successor — [a race that’s currently a toss-up](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/polls/california-governor-election-polls-2026.html) between a handful of plausible candidates, all competing to make it to the runoff round after the June 2 “jungle primary” eliminates all but the two best polling candidates.
Tom Steyer has emerged as a favorite to make it to that final round. Steyer, a billionaire funder of liberal causes — including both an [early effort to impeach Donald Trump](https://www.npr.org/2018/08/29/643062134/billionaire-tom-steyer-is-on-a-mission-to-remove-trump-from-office) in the first term and California’s recent gerrymandering to favor Democrats — is trying to solidify himself as the most progressive candidate in the race; he’s won an endorsement from Bernie Sanders’s Our Revolution group for his efforts and has promised to take on the administration, including by investigating ICE agents and even White House leaders for potential crimes.
But how does Steyer understand his role at this moment in American history? What does he think the role of states are in pushing back against the Trump administration? And how does he think about the risks here, either of breaking Americans’ civic trust or pushing the boundaries of law in ways that provoke a dangerous conflict with the federal government?
**Do you think the state of American politics right now can be reasonably described as an authoritarian emergency?**
I think that we are under absolutely authoritarian threat. It is absolutely a crisis. There is a deliberate attempt by the Trump administration to take away Americans’ democratic rights, including free and fair elections.
There is, this is a model, and we’ve seen it around the world, of [authoritarian, anti-democratic parties](https://www.vox.com/politics/479924/democracy-us-brazil-south-korea-poland-backsliding-resilience) trying to use the processes of democracy to destroy democracy. Is that going on? Absolutely that is going on. And so, is that a crisis? If you believe in democracy, which I fervently do, then it’s a crisis and it requires people to stand up and oppose it.
And I’ve been very disappointed in the establishment of the United States — however you want to define that — in its unwillingness to take those principled stands.
Heimerdingerdonger on
The problem is the stranglehold of the Billionaires on American politics.
You know the system is rigged when your choice comes down to either a “progressive” or “regressive” Billionaire.
tradconcarne on
His main opponents are a lady who threw things at her staff in rage and a guy who sexually assaulted multiple women after already being openly honeypotted.
How is this all California has?
That_Polish_Guy_927 on
I’m not a Californian myself, but I was a supporter of Steyer during his presidential campaign in 2020, at least from the sidelines (I’m broke lol). I’ve liked what I see so far from his campaign promises, but I’d also love to hear what folk have to say against him- other than the billionaire fact, of course
ol_dirty_applesauce on
Hell yeah California, go on and elect a nearly 70-year-old billionaire as your governor! Our political system is truly fucked.
ASIWYFA on
Stop electing billionaires!
BRNK on
Don’t trust any billionaire. Ever.
dobbbie on
I want to arrest Stephen Miller too.
julia_graz on
Why was AI needed to generate this headline?
Coconutrugby on
Tom if you mean business keep it going.
Billionaires shouldn’t exist but hey Tom does and he’s willing to spend money fighting this awful regime then go for it.
He’s a better option than letting a republican win.
ProfessionalRemove33 on
Stop voting for billionaires, please. They do not belong in politics. Also, tax them all, heavily. Thank you.
No_Possible_7108 on
I’ve read he is a big Israel supporter which makes me not like him, though the thought of Stephen Miller being arrested is quite exciting
Independent-Bug-9352 on
Man, Katie Porter really fucked her chances with that blowout against her staff on video.
Haven’t seen someone tank that hard since Klobuchar chucking binders at her staff.
AlpineAvalanche on
“This Billionaire” – gross
“Wants to arrest Stephen Miller” – ok, I’ll allow it.
in1gom0ntoya on
sure he does. when are people gonna stop being so trusting
i_am_a_real_boy__ on
Part of the reason we are where we are as a country is that so many voters *demand* empty promises.
Kwelikinz on
I think a lot of people want that sorry ass arrested. Did his provide his plan for doing that? Billionaire? Not a requirement to govern in the interest of everyday people. In fact, one should assume the opposite. Not a great choice.
Xpmonkey on
So the billionaire thinks Stephen miller is the problem. 👀
RobertdBanks on
Sure he does. Until he gets into power and has a “productive conversation”.
ThisIsGr8ThisIsGr8 on
Yeah let’s keep asshole billionaires *out* of our politics.
There should never be anyone with that much wealth. And fuck them for trying to rule the world
Classic_Presence78 on
We do not want a fucking billionaire in any kind of political office. Jesus Christ
yarash on
Billionaires should be eaten, not in politics.
mymar101 on
I guess only billionaires from here on in will win elections, because only they can afford to run anymore.
Pencil-Sketches on
Putting billionaires in positions of political power is like putting a serial rapist in charge of a women’s shelter.
Whole-Revolution916 on
Steyer would not be in the race if he hadn’t spent almost 150 million so far on advertising. Money that could have done a lot of good elsewhere. He has no experience in public office. He is 70 years old. The only reason I would vote for him is if the other option was maga.
The_Playbook88 on
You would be a fool to put a billionaire in office. We have seen how that works out. Letting the thieves police themselves.
ButtSpelunker420 on
Fuck these oligarchs. All of them.
buppiejc on
Liberals (to leftists): Use the primary to push for Progressive candidates, and policies.
Liberals during the primary: Let’s elect the billionaire that promises to arrest Stephen Miller!!
🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️
PHLANYC on
There are no “good” billionaires
Throwaway_noDoxx on
Can we PLEASE get rich geriatric fucks out of politics? If someone can get the senior discount at a fucking Village Inn, they need to slink off to their retirement island.
Bloody hell.
augustdaysong on
this guy invested in ICE detention centers, fuck him
wiznik on
Can we just not elect anymore billionaires? Please?
Latter-Leg4035 on
He says that now. I don’t care how appealing some billionaires are, they have no business representing everyday Americans.
mikeysce on
Imma go out on a ledge and say that no billionaires will really understand the lives and needs of the American people.
Raspberries-Are-Evil on
Yay, another old white billionaire…
Intelligent_Bag_6705 on
Get billionaires out of politics.
YellojD on
I’m not a huge fan of him, but he’s saying some things that sound good, and nobody else really is.
I worked in Xavier Becerra’s office at the California DOJ for quite a few years. Started with Kamala and left when Rob Bonta was in charge. Becerra is probably the most narcoleptic and corporate friendly dude you could possibly have. I’d vote for him in a General if absolutely forced to, but damn, I really don’t want to.
vicegrip on
Do not want billionaires in government.
Greed_Sucks on
Fuck billionaires
Croceyes2 on
I feel like this is kind of thing a billionaire says to won votes but has no intention of following through on
BDO-Issue-Again on
Stop voting for billionaires who just tell you what you want to hear.
41 Comments
The California governor’s race isn’t just important for Californians. At a moment where the federal government is sabotaging American democracy from within, the question of how the leader of the union’s wealthiest and most populous state responds — and the ways they use their powers to challenge federal authority — has major implications for the country.
The current governor, Gavin Newsom, has (at least rhetorically) positioned himself as a leader of the national anti-Trump resistance. But Newsom is on his way out, gearing up for an all-but-assured White House run in 2028. The real policy action will likely be up to his successor — [a race that’s currently a toss-up](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/polls/california-governor-election-polls-2026.html) between a handful of plausible candidates, all competing to make it to the runoff round after the June 2 “jungle primary” eliminates all but the two best polling candidates.
Tom Steyer has emerged as a favorite to make it to that final round. Steyer, a billionaire funder of liberal causes — including both an [early effort to impeach Donald Trump](https://www.npr.org/2018/08/29/643062134/billionaire-tom-steyer-is-on-a-mission-to-remove-trump-from-office) in the first term and California’s recent gerrymandering to favor Democrats — is trying to solidify himself as the most progressive candidate in the race; he’s won an endorsement from Bernie Sanders’s Our Revolution group for his efforts and has promised to take on the administration, including by investigating ICE agents and even White House leaders for potential crimes.
But how does Steyer understand his role at this moment in American history? What does he think the role of states are in pushing back against the Trump administration? And how does he think about the risks here, either of breaking Americans’ civic trust or pushing the boundaries of law in ways that provoke a dangerous conflict with the federal government?
**Do you think the state of American politics right now can be reasonably described as an authoritarian emergency?**
I think that we are under absolutely authoritarian threat. It is absolutely a crisis. There is a deliberate attempt by the Trump administration to take away Americans’ democratic rights, including free and fair elections.
There is, this is a model, and we’ve seen it around the world, of [authoritarian, anti-democratic parties](https://www.vox.com/politics/479924/democracy-us-brazil-south-korea-poland-backsliding-resilience) trying to use the processes of democracy to destroy democracy. Is that going on? Absolutely that is going on. And so, is that a crisis? If you believe in democracy, which I fervently do, then it’s a crisis and it requires people to stand up and oppose it.
And I’ve been very disappointed in the establishment of the United States — however you want to define that — in its unwillingness to take those principled stands.
The problem is the stranglehold of the Billionaires on American politics.
You know the system is rigged when your choice comes down to either a “progressive” or “regressive” Billionaire.
His main opponents are a lady who threw things at her staff in rage and a guy who sexually assaulted multiple women after already being openly honeypotted.
How is this all California has?
I’m not a Californian myself, but I was a supporter of Steyer during his presidential campaign in 2020, at least from the sidelines (I’m broke lol). I’ve liked what I see so far from his campaign promises, but I’d also love to hear what folk have to say against him- other than the billionaire fact, of course
Hell yeah California, go on and elect a nearly 70-year-old billionaire as your governor! Our political system is truly fucked.
Stop electing billionaires!
Don’t trust any billionaire. Ever.
I want to arrest Stephen Miller too.
Why was AI needed to generate this headline?
Tom if you mean business keep it going.
Billionaires shouldn’t exist but hey Tom does and he’s willing to spend money fighting this awful regime then go for it.
He’s a better option than letting a republican win.
Stop voting for billionaires, please. They do not belong in politics. Also, tax them all, heavily. Thank you.
I’ve read he is a big Israel supporter which makes me not like him, though the thought of Stephen Miller being arrested is quite exciting
Man, Katie Porter really fucked her chances with that blowout against her staff on video.
Haven’t seen someone tank that hard since Klobuchar chucking binders at her staff.
“This Billionaire” – gross
“Wants to arrest Stephen Miller” – ok, I’ll allow it.
sure he does. when are people gonna stop being so trusting
Part of the reason we are where we are as a country is that so many voters *demand* empty promises.
I think a lot of people want that sorry ass arrested. Did his provide his plan for doing that? Billionaire? Not a requirement to govern in the interest of everyday people. In fact, one should assume the opposite. Not a great choice.
So the billionaire thinks Stephen miller is the problem. 👀
Sure he does. Until he gets into power and has a “productive conversation”.
Yeah let’s keep asshole billionaires *out* of our politics.
There should never be anyone with that much wealth. And fuck them for trying to rule the world
We do not want a fucking billionaire in any kind of political office. Jesus Christ
Billionaires should be eaten, not in politics.
I guess only billionaires from here on in will win elections, because only they can afford to run anymore.
Putting billionaires in positions of political power is like putting a serial rapist in charge of a women’s shelter.
Steyer would not be in the race if he hadn’t spent almost 150 million so far on advertising. Money that could have done a lot of good elsewhere. He has no experience in public office. He is 70 years old. The only reason I would vote for him is if the other option was maga.
You would be a fool to put a billionaire in office. We have seen how that works out. Letting the thieves police themselves.
Fuck these oligarchs. All of them.
Liberals (to leftists): Use the primary to push for Progressive candidates, and policies.
Liberals during the primary: Let’s elect the billionaire that promises to arrest Stephen Miller!!
🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️
There are no “good” billionaires
Can we PLEASE get rich geriatric fucks out of politics? If someone can get the senior discount at a fucking Village Inn, they need to slink off to their retirement island.
Bloody hell.
this guy invested in ICE detention centers, fuck him
Can we just not elect anymore billionaires? Please?
He says that now. I don’t care how appealing some billionaires are, they have no business representing everyday Americans.
Imma go out on a ledge and say that no billionaires will really understand the lives and needs of the American people.
Yay, another old white billionaire…
Get billionaires out of politics.
I’m not a huge fan of him, but he’s saying some things that sound good, and nobody else really is.
I worked in Xavier Becerra’s office at the California DOJ for quite a few years. Started with Kamala and left when Rob Bonta was in charge. Becerra is probably the most narcoleptic and corporate friendly dude you could possibly have. I’d vote for him in a General if absolutely forced to, but damn, I really don’t want to.
Do not want billionaires in government.
Fuck billionaires
I feel like this is kind of thing a billionaire says to won votes but has no intention of following through on
Stop voting for billionaires who just tell you what you want to hear.