Progressive Billionaire Candidates Gain Left Support
Left activists have increasingly backed wealthy candidates such as billionaire Tom Steyer, despite long-standing anti-billionaire sentiment. Steyer’s California governor campaign has earned endorsements from Our Revolution and the California Nurses Association, and the Democratic Socialists of America’s California chapter called him the “most progressive of the current viable candidates for governor.” Other wealthy progressives gaining left praise include Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, Rep. Ro Khanna, and candidate Saikat Chakrabarti. The article notes that these candidates have each found ways to address concerns about wealth, such as Steyer’s support for a wealth tax and single-payer healthcare. Some left activists expressed mixed feelings but said if candidates say the right things and make the right enemies, they could be worth supporting. The race for California governor remains close, with recent polls showing Steyer behind former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and some Republican candidates.
What’s reported
Tom Steyer is running for California governor and has endorsements from Our Revolution and the California Nurses Association.
The Democratic Socialists of America’s California chapter praised Steyer as “most progressive of the current viable candidates for governor.”
Other wealthy progressive candidates include Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, Rep. Ro Khanna (estimated net worth $232.7 million), and Saikat Chakrabarti (primary candidate for House seat).
Steyer supports a wealth tax proposal (5% on assets over $1 billion) and single-payer healthcare in California.
Rebecca Katz of Fight Agency initially was reluctant to work for Steyer but was won over after a meeting.
Our Revolution executive director Joseph Geevarghese said, “Every billionaire is a policy failure” but that Steyer is “ideologically aligned.”
Open questions
How Steyer would pay for single-payer healthcare remains unclear, and the article notes that no serious proposal has been put forth. The final outcome of the California governor’s race is uncertain, as polls show Steyer trailing.
Key figures
Tom Steyer (candidate for California governor)
JB Pritzker (Illinois governor)
Ro Khanna (U.S. representative)
Saikat Chakrabarti (primary candidate for House)
Rebecca Katz (co-founder of Fight Agency)
Joseph Geevarghese (executive director of Our Revolution)
Katrina vanden Heuvel (editorial director and publisher of The Nation)
Gavin Newsom (California governor, opposed to wealth tax)
Xavier Becerra (former Health and Human Services Secretary)
Sources: vox.com
