Tom Steyer's $200 Million California Gubernatorial Bid Draws Utility Ads and Influencer Probe

Pacific Gas & Electric, San Diego Gas & Electric and Southern California Edison have collectively spent at least $13.5 million on advertisements and other efforts to oppose billionaire Tom Steyer in the California governor primary. The utilities accuse Steyer of seeking to break up the electric monopolies, while Steyer blames them for high consumer bills and deadly wildfires.

Steyer has spent roughly $200 million of his own fortune on the campaign, including payments to social‑media influencers. California Attorney General Rob Bonta has opened a Fair Political Practices Commission investigation into whether the influencer payments complied with state campaign‑finance disclosure rules. The spending has provoked criticism from state officials and fellow candidates as the race heads toward the June 2 primary.