Steyer Claims Success in Costly Effort To Make Climate a 'Wedge Issue'

"WASHINGTON -- Tom Steyer's climate-focused electoral efforts came up with mixed results Tuesday, but the billionaire environmentalist and former hedge fund manager said he has no buyer's remorse.

"I think it was money incredibly well spent. The fact of the matter is, we think this is the big issue facing the United States and the world," said Steyer in an interview Tuesday, hours after Republicans routed Democrats in midterm elections around the country. "I am not regretting a dime."

Steyer spent more than $74 million this election cycle in an effort to elect proponents of action on climate change. His political action committee, NextGen Climate Action, targeted its efforts in seven states: the Senate races in Iowa, New Hampshire, Michigan and Colorado, and the governor's races in Maine, Florida and Pennsylvania. Each race pitted a champion of action on climate change against a candidate who has denied that human activity is driving rising temperatures."

Kate Sheppard reports for the Huffington Post November 5, 2014.

SEE ALSO:

"Bay Area Billionaire's $65 Million Gamble To Make Climate Change An Election Issue" (San Jose Mercury News)

"Tom Steyer Gets Little Payoff for Millions Spent on Green Issues" (Los Angeles Times)