Progressive activists back wealthy candidates like Tom Steyer
7 reported
According to a Vox report, left activists who support Sen. Bernie Sanders have backed hedge fund billionaire Tom Steyer in his California governor campaign. Steyer has received endorsements from Our Revolution, a group founded by Sanders 2016 campaign notables, 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 candidates winning left enthusiasm include Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, Rep. Ro Khanna, and Saikat Chakrabarti. The article notes that left activists expressed mixed feelings about backing wealthy candidates but generally support those aligned with their policy priorities. Our Revolution executive director Joseph Geevarghese stated, “Every billionaire is a policy failure. That being said, we have to operate in the world that we’re in.”
What’s reported
Tom Steyer has spent $132 million of his own money on his California governor campaign.
Steyer supports a wealth tax proposal of 5 percent on residents with over $1 billion in assets, and has said he would vote for it.
Steyer has promised to get single-payer healthcare done in California more consistently than his rivals.
Recent polls show Steyer behind former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and one or two Republican candidates.
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 got wealthy through work for Stripe, is cultivating left support in a primary campaign to succeed Nancy Pelosi.
Key figures
Tom Steyer, hedge fund billionaire and California governor candidate
Joseph Geevarghese, executive director of Our Revolution
Rebecca Katz, co-founder of Fight Agency
Katrina vanden Heuvel, editorial director and publisher of The Nation
JB Pritzker, Illinois governor
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA)
Saikat Chakrabarti, House candidate
Eric Swalwell, former candidate who dropped out over sexual misconduct allegations
Xavier Becerra, former Health and Human Services Secretary and California governor candidate
Sources: vox.com
