Tom Steyer Wants to Save California From Billionaires. But Also Doesn’t Want Them to Leave

Key points

• For those concerned about the influence of Big Tech and billionaires on California’s future, Tom Steyer looks like an obvious choice.
• A billionaire who amassed his fortune after founding Farallon Capital Management, one of the world’s biggest hedge funds, Steyer quit the firm in 2012 and turned to philanthropy, political advocacy, and climate activism, among other pursuits.
• Now, he’s jostling for position among a handful of Democratic and GOP candidates looking to advance from a June primary and then win the California governorship this November.
• Ahead of the midterms, I’m talking to candidates relevant to WIRED’s interests: A few weeks ago I spoke with Alex Bores, a candidate for New York’s 12th Congressional District, whose history as a Palantir employee and stance on AI regulation has attracted the ire of Silicon Valley–backed super PACs.
• Steyer felt like the next obvious choice for a conversation: He’s running to lead a state...