Meet Tom

Tom Steyer is a progressive activist and changemaker who has a successful track record of winning big victories for working Californians, for public school students, and for the environment.

Portrait of Tom Steyer.

For over 15 years, Tom has taken on powerful interests and delivered for California.

Tom led ballot proposition campaigns to defeat Big Oil on climate, close a corporate tax loophole for out-of-state companies, and take on Big Tobacco to raise the cigarette tax.

2007 Co-founded Beneficial State Bank with his wife Kat Taylor, a mission-driven Community Development Financial Institution, to serve communities abandoned by Wall Street. To date, the bank has financed over 17,000 affordable housing units.

2010 Stood up to Big Oil to lead the successful "No on 23" campaign, defending California's clean air law and securing $28 billion in revenue for the state.

2010 Pledged to give away his wealth over the course of his lifetime. Tom won't die a billionaire.

2012 Left his business to dedicate himself to public service.

2012 Led the Prop. 39 campaign to deliver billions of dollars for public schools.

2013 Founded NextGen Climate to mobilize Americans to counter climate change and make the switch clean energy.

2015 Created the Fair Shake Commission to advance solutions to structural inequality and systemic racism.

2016 Led the Prop. 56 campaign to take on Big Tobacco and deliver $9.6 billion for health care.

2017-18 Started a legal defense fund for immigrants facing deportation.

2017-19 Led the Need to Impeach campaign calling to remove Donald Trump from office for his crimes.

2020 Chaired Governor Newsom's Task Force on Business and Jobs Recovery to advise on California's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020 Supported Proposition 25 to end cash bail in California.

2025 Supported Proposition 50 to stand up to MAGA redistricting.