Tom Steyer Leads California Governor Race with Massive Ad Spending Ahead of June Primary
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Billionaire Democrat Tom Steyer has spent or booked over $195 million on advertising for his California gubernatorial campaign, more than 20 times the amount spent by his main Democratic rival, Xavier Becerra. The California primary, which uses a 'top two' system, is scheduled for June 2, with mail voting already underway. Steyer, who has never held elected office, debated other candidates in San Francisco on May 14.
Facts First
- Tom Steyer has spent or booked over $195 million on ads for his California gubernatorial campaign.
- Steyer's ad spending is more than 20 times that of his Democratic rival, former state attorney general Xavier Becerra.
- The California primary is scheduled for June 2 and uses a 'top two' system where the top two vote-getters advance to November.
- Steyer has never held elected office and previously dropped out of the 2020 presidential contest.
- California faces several major issues including a homeless crisis, wildfire insurance shortages, projected budget shortfalls, and high housing costs.
What Happened
Billionaire Democrat Tom Steyer is running for Governor of California and has spent or booked more than $195 million in ads, according to data from advertising tracker AdImpact. This spending is more than 20 times the amount spent by his Democratic rival, former state attorney general and Biden administration health secretary Xavier Becerra. The California primary is scheduled for June 2, 2026. Steyer participated in a California gubernatorial debate hosted by CBS Bay Area and the San Francisco Examiner in San Francisco on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
Why this Matters to You
The outcome of this primary could significantly shape the state's approach to pressing issues like the homeless crisis, wildfire insurance shortages, projected budget shortfalls, and high housing costs. The 'top two' primary system means only the top two finishers will appear on your November ballot, regardless of party. The sheer scale of Steyer's advertising spending means you are likely to see his message far more frequently than those of his rivals in the final weeks before the June 2 vote.
What's Next
The primary election on June 2 will determine which two candidates advance to the general election in November. Given the high spending and competitive field, the race appears likely to remain intense through election day. The winner of the November election will be tasked with governing a state facing complex challenges, and the campaign's focus on these issues may offer a clearer picture of each candidate's proposed solutions in the coming weeks.