Progressive activists back wealthy candidates like Tom Steyer
8 reported
According to a Vox report, left activists who support Sen. Bernie Sanders have rallied behind hedge fund billionaire Tom Steyer in his campaign for California governor. Steyer has secured endorsements from Our Revolution, a group founded by Sanders 2016 campaign notables, and the California Nurses Association, a leading advocate for single-payer healthcare. The Democratic Socialists of America’s California chapter praised Steyer as the “most progressive of the current viable candidates for governor.” The article notes that Steyer is not alone, citing Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, Rep. Ro Khanna, and Saikat Chakrabarti as other wealthy politicians who have won left enthusiasm. The report states that each candidate has built bridges to the left through different means, such as Steyer’s support for a wealth tax and single-payer healthcare, Pritzker’s progressive governance record, and Khanna and Chakrabarti’s ties to Sanders’ network. The article highlights that left activists are optimistic these candidates will feel more beholden to them than to the traditional Democratic establishment and business interests.
What’s reported
Tom Steyer has spent $132 million of his own money on his California governor campaign.
Steyer supports a controversial wealth tax proposal that would impose a one-time 5% tax on residents with over $1 billion in assets.
Steyer has promised to get single-payer healthcare done in California more consistently than his rivals.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker impressed some left writers with his progressive achievements in office.
Rep. Ro Khanna has an estimated median net worth of $232.7 million, largely from his wife’s money in a trust.
Saikat Chakrabarti, who became wealthy through work for Stripe, is running in a primary to succeed Nancy Pelosi in the House.
Our Revolution executive director Joseph Geevarghese said, “Every billionaire is a policy failure,” but added that Steyer is “ideologically aligned with our organization.”
Recent polls show Steyer behind former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and one or two Republican candidates.
Key figures
Tom Steyer: Hedge fund billionaire, candidate for California governor
Joseph Geevarghese: Executive director of Our Revolution
Rebecca Katz: Co-founder of Fight Agency
JB Pritzker: Illinois governor, billionaire
Rep. Ro Khanna: U.S. Representative from California
Saikat Chakrabarti: Candidate for U.S. House in California
Katrina vanden Heuvel: Editorial director and publisher of The Nation
Xavier Becerra: Former Health and Human Services Secretary, candidate for California governor
Sources: vox.com
