Why Tom Steyer Changed His Mind on Running for President

Tom Steyer’s surprise entry this week into the Democratic primary has confused and annoyed many professional Democrats, with the party desperate to start winnowing the field and focus its resources on running against President Donald Trump and winning back the Senate. Republicans, meanwhile, have greeted Steyer with glee, convinced that he’s going to make sure the primary race becomes a self-defeating clown show.

But the billionaire investor and impeachment advocate says the doubters have him—and the race—all wrong: Huge as the field is, there’s no other candidate running with his business and grassroots-organizing experience. He’s the founder, and funder, of both Need to Impeach, which is pushing for Trump’s removal, and NextGen America, an environmental advocacy organization focused on activating new voters.

There’s also no one in the race with his fortune, for better or worse: Steyer has pledged to put at least $100 million of his own money, to start, into