A ‘tax-the-rich’ billionaire candidate? Democrats are intrigued
Tom Steyer is campaigning for governor of California with a focus on affordability and taxing the wealthy. Despite being a billionaire himself, he presents his candidacy as a challenge to the elite, aiming to resonate with voters concerned about income inequality. His campaign reflects a growing trend among Democrats to embrace populist messages from wealthy candidates.
- ▪Tom Steyer has an estimated net worth of $2.4 billion and is advocating for higher taxes on the wealthy.
- ▪A recent Harris Poll indicated that 53% of Americans believe billionaires threaten democracy, yet many support billionaires who challenge unjust systems.
- ▪California faces a significant affordability crisis, prompting voters to seek a governor who will address systemic issues.
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| Original publisher | US news | The Guardian |
| Canonical URL | https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/17/tom-steyer-billionaire-candidate-democrats |
| Publication time | Sun, 17 May 2026 15:06:55 GMT |
| Retrieval time | 2026-05-17T15:28:20.730Z |
| Last seen | 2026-05-17T15:43:56.825Z |
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Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Tom Steyer campaigns In Riverside, California, on 12 May 2026. Photograph: Brian Cahn/ZUMA Press Wire/ShutterstockView image in fullscreenTom Steyer campaigns In Riverside, California, on 12 May 2026. Photograph: Brian Cahn/ZUMA Press Wire/ShutterstockCaliforniaA ‘tax-the-rich’ billionaire candidate? Democrats are intriguedTom Steyer has built his campaign for governor of California around affordability – he’s not the only Democrat testing the party’s appetite for a populist from the 1%Lauren Gambino in Los AngelesSun 17 May 2026 11.06 EDTLast modified on Sun 17 May 2026 11.24 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleTom Steyer has built his campaign for governor of California around affordability – and taxing the uber-wealthy.It is perhaps an unusual message for a candidate with an estimated…
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