Tom Steyer spent $216 million of his own money to run for governor of California — here’s where that ranks

Tom Steyer, a billionaire environmentalist and Democratic candidate for California governor, has splashed an unprecedented $216 million of his own cash into his campaign, making it one of the most expensive independent expenditures in U.S. political history. This level of spending highlights the growing trend of self-funded candidates who use personal wealth to dominate campaigns, raising questions about the influence of money in politics. While Steyer's campaign has garnered significant attention, it's likely he'll be eliminated from the race, underscoring the challenges faced by self-funded candidates in a highly competitive political landscape.