Story perspectives

PG&E leads $80M ad blitz against Steyer in California race

5/26/2026

Left

Steyer Faces PG&E Ads

Pacific Gas & Electric spent $13.5 million on ads attacking Tom Steyer, citing fossil-fuel ties and higher consumer bills.
Independent expenditure committees have invested a record $79.6 million in the 2026 California governor’s race, with $32.3 million targeting billionaire Tom Steyer.
Former Oklahoma House speaker Charles McCall seeks to repeal personal-income tax and boost education.
Billionaire Tom Steyer says utilities’ rate-of-return structure inflates prices, urging commissioners, battery storage, community solar.

Right

Alabama Candidate Sues

A Democratic candidate for Alabama Public Service Commission sued to block law expanding commission and creating a governor-appointed energy secretary.
Candidates in Alabama, Oklahoma, California and Maine announced legal actions and policy proposals during their 2026 election campaigns.
Oklahoma House speaker Charles McCall campaigns to repeal personal income tax and boost education funding.
Xavier Becerra and Rick Bennett propose rebuilding high-speed rail and merging Maine health with early-childhood agencies.

Center

Trump Endorses

President Donald Trump endorsed Republican gubernatorial candidates in California and Kansas, highlighting his influence in state races.
Primary elections for governor are scheduled for June 2 in California and August 4 in Kansas and Oklahoma, with multiple candidates competing.
California poll shows Steve Hilton 22%, Xavier Becerra 21% and Tom Steyer 15%.
Steyer’s campaign faces Political Practices Commission review for paying influencer Carlos Eduardo Espina $400,000 undisclosed.

History

Historical Context

The 2002 Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, signed by President Bush on March 27, banned soft-money and limited corporate electioneering ads. The Supreme Court upheld most of it in December 2003 (McConnell v. FEC) but reversed the corporate-spending ban in January 2010 in Citizens United, freeing corporations and unions to spend unlimited independent money. This legacy underpins today’s multi-state campaign spending.

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Steyer Faces PG&E Ads

Pacific Gas & Electric spent $13.5 million on ads attacking Tom Steyer, citing fossil-fuel ties and higher consumer bills.
Independent expenditure committees have invested a record $79.6 million in the 2026 California governor’s race, with $32.3 million targeting billionaire Tom Steyer.
Former Oklahoma House speaker Charles McCall seeks to repeal personal-income tax and boost education.
Billionaire Tom Steyer says utilities’ rate-of-return structure inflates prices, urging commissioners, battery storage, community solar.

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