Climate change remains a top concern for Californians, and it has emerged as a decisive issue in the state’s competitive Democratic governor’s race. A recent survey by the Public Policy Institute of California found that the vast majority of residents view climate change as a serious threat to the state’s economy and quality of life, driving candidates to focus heavily on their environmental credentials and ties to the oil industry.
The two leading contenders, billionaire Tom Steyer and former Attorney General Xavier Becerra, have confronted each other over their approach to clean energy and fossil fuel connections. Steyer positions himself as the candidate most committed to aggressive climate action. He has called for fast-tracking clean energy projects, tackling the dominance of investor-owned utilities like PG&E, and holding oil companies fully accountable for environmental damage. Steyer has also committed to making electric vehicles affordable, predicting significantly lower EV prices by 2035.
Despite his environmental activism, Steyer’s past reveals complexity. His hedge fund once invested in fossil fuels and private prisons, though he later shifted focus, divesting from those sectors and moving into environmental technology. Steyer has taken a strong stance against fossil fuel money in politics, signing the No Fossil Fuel Money Pledge and urging rivals to return oil industry contributions, thus framing himself as the clean-money candidate.
Becerra’s environmental record appears more nuanced. While he supports climate initiatives, he has expressed willingness to adjust state climate targets to maintain fuel affordability for middle-class Californians. He has proposed declaring a state of emergency to freeze utility rates, highlighting his focus on balancing environmental goals with economic impacts. Becerra’s campaign has accepted funds from oil companies, which Steyer has criticized sharply, seeking to paint Becerra as beholden to fossil fuel interests.
The battle between Steyer and Becerra reflects broader tensions within the Democratic Party nationwide, where enthusiasm about climate change has waned among some liberals but remains strong in California. The primary contest underscores how climate policy and campaign financing continue to be intertwined, influencing voter perceptions and campaign tactics in this pivotal state race.