Sierra Club Endorses Tom Steyer for California Governor

Sacramento, CA — Today, Sierra Club announced its endorsement of Tom Steyer for Governor of California, backing a candidate with a long record of investing in climate solutions, taking on Big Oil, and helping build the coalitions needed to win major environmental fights.

“Tom Steyer has not just talked about climate and environmental leadership, he has helped build and lead it, becoming a strong ally to our millions of members in California and across the nation,” said Loren Blackford, Executive Director of Sierra Club. “At a moment when Californians are facing rising costs, experiencing firsthand the worsening impacts of the climate crisis, and seeing continued attacks on environmental safeguards, we need leadership that is willing to take on entrenched interests and deliver bold action. Tom Steyer has demonstrated a real commitment to moving California forward, and we’re thrilled to endorse his campaign for Governor.”

Steyer brings to the race a deep history of climate advocacy and investment in California’s clean energy future. He helped defeat Big Oil’s effort to roll back California’s landmark climate law through Proposition 23, a 2010 ballot measure that would have suspended the state’s clean air and climate pollution standards. He also co-chaired and helped finance Proposition 39, a 2012 measure that closed a corporate tax loophole and directed billions toward clean energy projects in California schools. Through his work with NextGen Policy, Steyer has supported major statewide climate victories, including backing coalitions that helped secure California’s historic climate investments and strengthen safe drinking water protections.

“California needs a governor who understands both the scale of the climate crisis and the urgency of delivering results,” said Miguel Miguel, Director of Sierra Club California. “Tom Steyer has spent years providing resources to the climate movement that have allowed organizations to create progress in our most critical environmentally burdened communities. He has shown he is ready to stand up to fossil fuel interests and prepared to fight for clean energy, affordability, public health, and environmental justice.”

Along with the endorsement, Sierra Club California will lend its considerable grassroots strength to Steyer’s campaign.

“Tom has spent the past 15 years demonstrating his commitment to a sustainable climate future, and his experience as an entrepreneur has given him the priceless inside knowledge and executive skills needed to turn that commitment into a reality that our grandchildren can live with.” said Victoria Brandon, Co-chair of Sierra Club California Political Committee.

Sierra Club California’s endorsement reflects the organization’s belief that California must continue to lead in confronting the climate crisis while ensuring that progress reaches working families and communities most impacted by pollution. Steyer has emphasized coalition-building across labor, environmental, and community groups and called for the state to move with urgency to advance a more just and affordable clean energy future.

Sierra Club California is the statewide voice of Sierra Club’s California chapters and works to protect the state’s environment and advance policies that support clean air, safe water, climate action, and healthy communities.