Billionaire Democrat Tom Steyer says he won't run for Senate or governor in California in 2018
WASHINGTON _ San Francisco billionaire and major Democratic donor Tom Steyer said Monday he's not going to run for Senate or the governor's office in California this year, ending months of speculation about his future.
"I'm not going to run for office in 2018 _ that's not where I can make the biggest difference," Steyer said at a news conference he called in Washington. "My fight is not just in California, my fight is in removing Donald Trump from office and from power."
The former hedge fund manager said he will instead pour $30 million into organizing young voters in 10 states, including California, to aid Democratic efforts to retake control of the House.
"The most important task for me, the task which I feel called to do is organizing ... and mobilizing America's voters. They have got to be the most powerful force in our politics," Steyer said.
Steyer, who has repeatedly flirted with running for office in California, was weighing a challenge against Sen. Dianne Feinstein as she seeks a fifth full term in the Senate. If he had run, he would have been her second major Democratic challenger _ state Senate leader Kevin de Leon announced a run in October.
In a statement, Feinstein thanked Steyer for his activism and work on environmental issues.
"I look forward to his continued activism in the months ahead as we campaign to take back both chambers of Congress to protect the nation from the dangerous Trump agenda," she said.
Steyer's investment is an extension of the work his nonprofit, NextGen America, has done organizing on college campuses and online since 2014. NextGen will focus on the seven Republican-held districts in California where voters backed Hillary Clinton for president in 2016 _ Steyer specifically called out GOP Rep. Darrell Issa _ as well as at least two dozen other House incumbents. He'll also pour money into holding vulnerable Democratic Senate seats, and electing Democratic governors.
"In 10 months, God willing, the people of America are going to send a wave across the nation. This tide will wash away the stain of the Trump administration and it will not recede until America lives up to its founding creed," Steyer said.
Steyer has gained additional attention in recent months with a $20 million nationwide campaign urging Congress to impeach Trump. He said Monday that he expects to spend at least another $20 million on the effort.
More than 4 million people have signed Steyer's impeachment petition, which he called a "digital army" that will be mobilized to engage with members of Congress, including Democrats, who have not committed to impeaching Trump.
_Tribune Washington Bureau
