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State of Affairs: Billionaire eyes Feinstein's Senate seat, Bannon comes to Anaheim
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Oct 20, 2017
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State of Affairs: Billionaire eyes Feinstein's Senate seat, Bannon comes to Anaheim
Democratic power player Tom Steyer has the money needed to run — but will he?
LAS VEGAS, NV - AUGUST 13:  Tom Steyer introduces a panel during the National Clean Energy Summit 6.0 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center on August 13, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Isaac Brekken/Getty Images for National Clean Energy Summit 6.0)
LAS VEGAS, NV - AUGUST 13: Tom Steyer introduces a panel during the National Clean Energy Summit 6.0 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center on August 13, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Isaac Brekken/Getty Images for National Clean Energy Summit 6.0)
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Isaac Brekken/Getty Images for National Clean
)

Democratic power player Tom Steyer has the money needed to run — but will he?

Today on State of Affairs, our weekly look at politics in the Golden State:

  • Another prominent challenger could be eyeing Dianne Feinstein's Senate seat — longtime Democratic power player Tom Steyer. 
  • Former Trump strategist Steve Bannon is coming to Anaheim, but his presence could be making some Republicans nervous.
  • This year, California Governor Jerry Brown signed 859 bills and vetoed 118. What could the Governor's choices tell us about his political philosophy?

USC professor of public policy, Sherry Bebitch Jeffe says Steyer's decision to run likely hinges on four considerations:

  • The intensity of his frustration with Democratic lawmakers 
  • How hard is ego drives him 
  • Whether or not his entry helps or hurts Kevin de León and/or Dianne Feinstein. 
  • Democratic pressure on Steyer to stay out of the race and continue to fund the races needed to flip Congress

Press the blue play button to hear more analysis from Sherry Bebitch Jeffe and Carla Marinucci, senior editor for Politico's California Playbook.