Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Sibelius Fan

(24,817 posts)
11. Steyer has been very involved in Dem politics.
Sun Mar 29, 2026, 08:27 PM
Mar 29

He contributed $87-million to D candidates in 2016. He met with Obama to oppose the Keystone pipeline. He’s a huge environmentalist. Big donor to Hillary.

I think people owe it to themselves to read up on him. The comments so far betray a total lack of knowledge about him.

In 1983, Steyer worked on Walter Mondale's presidential campaign.[38] He raised money for Bill Bradley in 2000 and John Kerry in 2004.[39]


Steyer in 2008
An early supporter of Hillary Clinton in 2008, Steyer became one of Barack Obama's most prolific fundraisers. Steyer served as a delegate to the Democratic National Conventions in 2004 and 2008.[40] Steyer has been a member of the Hamilton Project[41] and has been involved with the Democracy Alliance, a network of progressive donors whose membership in the group requires them to donate at least $200,000 a year to recommended organizations.[42][43]

California ballot measures
Steyer has been active in California politics, particularly in ballot initiative campaigns.[44] In 2010, Steyer joined the former Secretary of State, San Francisco-based George Shultz, to co-chair the No on Prop. 23 campaign. Proposition 23, backed by a coalition including conservative billionaires Charles and David Koch, aimed to overturn California's Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006. Steyer donated $5 million to the No on Prop. 23 campaign, which succeeded with a margin of 61%.[45]

In 2012, Steyer was the leading sponsor of Proposition 39 on the ballot in California. Its purpose was to close a loophole that allowed multi-state corporations to pay taxes out of state, mandating that they pay in California. Funds raised by closing the loophole, estimated at $1 billion annually, went to a combination of clean energy projects and the state's general fund. Steyer contributed $29.6 million to the campaign, saying that he could wait no longer for the change.[46][47][48] The initiative passed with 61% of the vote.[49]

While supporters of Steyer's effort said it would "help break the partisan gridlock in Sacramento", critics objected that "the increasing involvement of rich individuals perverts the original intent of the initiatives". Kim Alexander, president of the California Voter Foundation, said that the level of giving was unprecedented for an individual donor.[48] Some critics called the initiative an ineffective jobs stimulus, while Steyer labeled it a success for closing a corporate loophole.[50]

Steyer co-chaired the 2016 campaign in support of California's Proposition 56, which raised the state's tobacco tax by $2 per pack to fund a combination of healthcare programs, Medi-Cal, and tobacco-use prevention.[51] He contributed more than $11 million to the effort and appeared in the campaign's television advertising.When Proposition 56 was approved with 64% of the vote, it became the first successful ballot initiative to raise the tobacco tax in over a decade, ultimately directing over $1 billion per year to the Medi-Cal program.[52][53]

In 2025, Steyer donated $12 million to become the largest contributor to the campaign for California's Proposition 50, which redrew California's congressional districts in response to what supporters described as partisan gerrymandering efforts in other states.The initiative passed with 64% of the vote.[54]

Recommendations

2 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Has he ever held public office before? I'm tired of amateurs trying to run things. Walleye Mar 29 #1
Only if absolutely necessary to keep two repukes off the final ballot Auggie Mar 29 #2
Does he support democratic issues & initatives with his money every election or just when he's running for office? CrispyQ Mar 29 #3
His marketing focuses on affordability Bobstandard Mar 29 #4
But he is one of the most successful hedgefunders of all time! quaint Mar 29 #6
Yes. Very heavy contributor to progressive policies and campaigns. Obama's largest fundraiser. Sibelius Fan Mar 29 #12
He's spent millions on D candidates and progressive issues. He was the main contributor Sibelius Fan Mar 29 #15
He definitely does support Democratic issues and has for a long time. OrwellwasRight Saturday #17
He's trying to buy the governorship with his money kimbutgar Mar 29 #5
I don't trust billionaires JoseBalow Mar 29 #7
Would you have trusted JFK back when millionaires were the equivalent Sibelius Fan Yesterday #19
I'm not a fan of his LogDog75 Mar 29 #8
he could help more by using his money on issues promotion instead of ego wanking nt msongs Mar 29 #9
Er, he's spent millions on progressive issues. Do some research. Sibelius Fan Mar 29 #13
that's nice, he can spend a lot more on something besides himself and do a lot more good nt msongs Mar 29 #14
He would say he can do both. Sibelius Fan Mar 29 #16
He is a Oligarch. Jacson6 Mar 29 #10
Steyer has been very involved in Dem politics. Sibelius Fan Mar 29 #11
I like the fact that he might win flamingdem 3 hrs ago #21
Dont really like Steyer. Im looking at Xavier Becerra. IcyPeas Yesterday #18
He's good on climate flamingdem 3 hrs ago #20
Latest Discussions»Region Forums»California»Tom Steyer for Governor? ...»Reply #11