Steyer's Cash Flood Dominates CA Governor Race

0:00It's April 24th. California News Today starts now, AI-powered and ready. I'm Cory with the story. Billionaire Tom Steyer is straight dominating California's governor race with cash, dropping over $132 million already. Mostly from his own pocket, that's 20 to 30 times more than his rivals through mid-April, fueling a TV ad blitz across the state since early on. He's on pace to shatter records, topping even Meg Whitman's $159 million from 2010 or Gavin Newsom's recall fight spending. Meanwhile, among Democrats, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan leads fundraising with $13 million raised from January to mid-April. Katie Porter pulled in $2.8 million, Xavier Viserra $1 million, Antonio Villaragosa $707000, and Tony Thurman just. 62,000 Republicans like Steve Hilton at $4.4 million and Chad Bianco at $1.5 million are holding strong in polls.

1:01This flood of money spotlights California's wealth gap in housing crunch with stire pitching universal health care, lower electrode bills, and higher corporate taxes. Critics hit his hedge fund history in fossil fuels and prisons, but he's won over progresses like the California Nurses Association and are. Polls keep Democrats bunched up behind GOP frontrunners Bianco and Hilton. Even after Eric Swalwell dropped out over Miss Conda claims. Viserra got a small donor bump, landing a debate spot, though he caught heat for vague policies and praising Newsom on homelessness efforts amid, rising numbers. Outside groups are piling on too, with realtors, unions, and PG&E dropping $14 million plus $7 million more to slam stires past. Mahan Silicon Valley Bakers funneled $25 million into support ads. As June 2nd primary ballots hit mailboxes, this cash war will decide who advances.