New Tom Steyer ads in early primary states focus on climate, economy

Democratic presidential candidate Tom Steyer is pushing out a pair of new TV ads focused on the economy and climate change.

The ads will play in the early primary states of Iowa, Nevada and South Carolina. Stayer, a billionaire hedge fund manager, certainly has plenty of money to spend getting his name out to the public after a late entry to the presidential race.

Steyer’s ad on the economy goes after President Donald Trump specifically, attacking Trump’s handling of his own fortune and the U.S. economy.

“Donald Trump is a con man,” Steyer says at the beginning of the ad.

“He got $413 million from his dad and lost over a billion. Now he’s doing the same thing to our country.”

That billion in losses by Trump cover the period from 1985 and 1994, not the entirety of Trump’s business record. And while the U.S. economy has had a few bright spots during Trump’s term, Steyer’s ad highlights the climbing national debt.

The ad then goes on to contrast Steyer and Trump.

“Listen, I’m going to be really honest with you. This election is going to come down to the economy,” Steyer continues.

“It always does. Thirty years in business taught me that what our economy needs is a clear plan and steady leadership. I’m Tom Steyer and I approve this message because I can go head-to-head with Trump and win.”

Though Steyer contends the election will “come down to the economy,” he’s also releasing a second ad attempting to appeal to those concerned by climate change.

The ad cycles through several different individuals who represent climate change voters, all reading from the same script.

“I’m a climate change voter. I am tired of politicians who pretend they care about the climate but do nothing about it. Floods, fires, droughts. This is urgent, act like it,” the individuals say.

The ad then transitions to Steyer.

“I’m Tom Steyer and I approve this message because climate change is a national emergency. I’ll declare it on day one and create millions of jobs by rebuilding America and cleaning up our air, because right now we need the truth and some action.”

Steyer has vowed to declare a national emergency on the climate before.

The release of the ads comes just days after Steyer qualified for the Democrats’ fourth debate in October. He narrowly missed qualifying for the upcoming debate on Thursday in Houston.

The ads are below.