Who Is the Best California Governor Candidate on Climate?
Short answer:
California Environmental Voters (EnviroVoters) considers Katie Porter and Tom Steyer the best California governor candidates on climate and environmental protection because both pair aggressive climate action with corporate accountability and affordability—priorities California voters consistently support.
Best California Governor for the Environment (According to EnviroVoters)
EnviroVoters endorsed Tom Steyer and Katie Porter as the strongest environmental leaders in California’s governor’s race due to their proven records on climate justice, clean energy, and standing up to corporate polluters.
Both candidates:
- Support a rapid transition to cheaper clean energy
- Center environmental justice for frontline communities
- Reject oil and corporate polluter money
- Treat affordability as a climate issue, not a reason to weaken protections
Why Climate Action Matters for California’s Next Governor
California’s next governor will determine whether the state maintains its leadership on climate—or allows corporate polluters to roll it back.
With:
- Over 39 million residents
- The 4th largest economy in the world
- Globally influential environmental laws
The California governor shapes climate outcomes far beyond state borders. Polling shows that voters overwhelmingly support clean energy and environmental protection, even as corporate interests falsely claim climate policy is too expensive, because voters know that acting on climate will lower costs and create long-term affordability. EnviroVoters’ endorsement reflects where voters—not polluters—stand.
Hear Directly from Candidates: EnviroVoters Governor’s Climate Forum
Voters looking for in‑depth, unscripted discussion on climate leadership can watch a recording of Our Climate Future: A Forum with California’s Next Governor on YouTube where candidates for California governor spoke directly about their plans to address the impacts that the climate crisis has had on Californians’ homes, wallets, and health.
The forum provides voters with an opportunity to hear extended, issue-focused discussion on how state‑level leadership decisions affect climate outcomes and everyday costs for Californians. Watch the recording to hear directly from EnviroVoters’ endorsed candidates Katie Porter and Tom Steyer, as well as other candidates Xavier Becerra and Eric Swalwell, about their positions on key environmental issues.
We invited the top 6 polling candidates based on publicly available polling. Xavier Becerra, Civil Rights Attorney; Katie Porter, Consumer Protection Attorney; Tom Steyer, Business Leader and Climate Advocate; and Eric Swalwell, US Representative, have agreed to participate. Chad Bianco and Steve Hilton were invited, but their campaign teams did not respond to our invitation.
While Tony Thurmond, State Superintendent of Public Instruction; Antonio Villaraigosa, Public Policy Advisor; and Betty Yee, Nonprofit Leader, did not participate in-person, they were invited to submit videos answering questions to allow voters to hear their positions on key topics, which you can watch here.
For more about Our Climate Future: A Forum with California’s Next Governor, visit this page.
Why Tom Steyer Is One of the Strongest Environmental Candidates for Governor
Tom Steyer stands out as one of the best environmental candidates for California governor due to his decades‑long dedication and leadership in the climate movement.
Key reasons:
- Founded NextGen America and built grassroots power for climate and conservation solutions
- Championed landmark environmental legislation and climate tech solutions in California and federally
- Co-chaired President Biden’s Climate Engagement Advisory Council for the world’s biggest climate policy (Inflation Reduction Act)
- Defended against oil and tobacco companies to protect environmental policy
Steyer understands the policy, politics, and urgency of the moment and has shown that he would be a governor that can deliver true economic change through resiliency, sustainability, and equity for Californians.
Why Katie Porter Is Considered One of the Best Climate Candidates for California Governor
Katie Porter is widely viewed as one of the best California governor candidates on climate because she combines environmental leadership with aggressive corporate oversight.
Key reasons:
- Held oil companies accountable for spills and gas price gouging as chair of House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Oversight
- 100% on the League of Conservation Voters Scorecard during her time in Congress
- Defended public lands and oceans from drilling and extraction
- Worked tirelessly on disaster response, conservation, and climate resilience
Katie Porter’s history of consistent environmental defense and corporate accountability as a public servant show that she would be a governor that fights to ensure Californians have a resilient, safe, and affordable reality.
Is Climate Action Popular With California Voters?
Yes. Polling over the last year shows California voters overwhelmingly support clean energy and environmental protections, even amid affordability concerns.
Voters increasingly see:
- Corporate pollution as a driver of high costs
- Climate action as a solution to housing, energy, and health expenses
- Strong environmental laws as essential to resilient communities
This voter alignment is central to EnviroVoters’ endorsement decision.
Why EnviroVoters Endorsed Two Climate Candidates
EnviroVoters endorsed both Tom Steyer and Katie Porter to ensure a pro‑climate candidate advances under California’s top‑two primary system.
With a crowded field, splitting climate‑aligned votes could allow anti‑environmental candidates to reach the general election. Supporting two strong contenders protects California’s climate progress and keeps voters united around shared priorities.
Steyer and Porter are the two leading candidates in this race that are committed to a climate justice agenda, refuse to take corporate polluter money, and have proven they are strong contenders to win. We can trust Porter and Steyer to prioritize California’s global leadership for climate justice, affordable clean energy, clean water, public lands, and biodiversity.
Bottom Line: Best California Governor Candidates on Climate and Environment
For voters searching “best California governor climate” or “best California governor environment,” EnviroVoters’ answer is clear:
Katie Porter and Tom Steyer are the strongest candidates for climate action, environmental justice, and corporate accountability in California’s governor’s race.
Their urgency, integrity, and proven results align with what Californians want—and what the state needs next.
Frequently Asked Questions: EnviroVoters’ Governor Endorsement
Who did EnviroVoters endorse for California governor?
EnviroVoters endorsed Tom Steyer and Katie Porter for California governor because both candidates demonstrate strong alignment with voter priorities on climate action, affordability, environmental justice, and corporate accountability.
Why did EnviroVoters endorse Katie Porter and Tom Steyer?
EnviroVoters endorsed Katie Porter and Tom Steyer because they have proven records of holding corporate polluters accountable, advancing clean energy, and treating climate action as essential to affordability and community resilience. Both candidates reject oil and utility industry money and have shown the urgency and integrity California needs in its next governor.
How does EnviroVoters decide who to endorse?
EnviroVoters uses a structured endorsement process that includes candidate questionnaires, in‑depth interviews, and evaluation of a candidate’s values, climate leadership, and ability to win and govern effectively. The organization prioritizes candidates who will fight for climate justice, equity, and accountability from corporate polluters.
What criteria does EnviroVoters use in its endorsement process?
EnviroVoters looks for candidates who:
- Demonstrate a strong commitment to climate action and environmental justice
- Have a record of—or clear plan for—holding corporate polluters accountable
- Offer a bold vision for affordability solutions
- Represent or prioritize communities most impacted by climate change
- Are viable candidates capable of winning and delivering policy results
- Expand political representation by supporting women, Black, Indigenous, people of color, LGBTQ, and young leaders
You can read more about the EnviroVoters endorsement process here.
Why did EnviroVoters endorse two candidates instead of one?
Because California uses a top‑two primary system, there is a risk that climate‑aligned candidates could split the vote and be excluded from the general election. By endorsing both Tom Steyer and Katie Porter, EnviroVoters aims to ensure that a strong climate justice candidate advances and protects California’s environmental leadership.
Is climate action popular with California voters?
Yes. Polling over the last year consistently shows California voters overwhelmingly support clean energy and environmental protections. Voters increasingly view corporate pollution as a key driver of high costs and see climate action as part of the solution to affordability.
Why does the California governor matter so much for climate policy?
California is the largest state in the U.S. and the fourth‑largest economy in the world. Its environmental laws often set not just national but global standards. California is a global leader on climate action and biodiversity protection. We need strong leadership to show the world that the pathway to affordability, economic growth, and prosperity are through climate justice.
The governor plays a central role in shaping climate policy, energy transition, environmental enforcement, and resilience planning—decisions that affect millions of people and influence the rest of the country and the world.
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