Democratic Socialists of America Endorse Private Equity Billionaire For California Governor — But Warn He May Be a ‘Class Traitor’
California’s Democratic Socialists of America have endorsed billionaire Tom Steyer in the state’s gubernatorial race, while simultaneously attacking his business background.
Steyer, a former hedge fund executive who founded Farallon Capital, is worth more than $2 billion and has spent heavily on political campaigns, including his failed 2020 presidential run.
In its voter guide, the California chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America described Steyer as the “most progressive” viable candidate in the race, despite accusing him of building his fortune through capitalism and worker exploitation.
They wrote:
Despite being a billionaire, he supports taxing the rich and supports the Billionaire Tax currently on California’s ballot, which CA DSA has endorsed. He has done an about-face from his previous position to now supporting state-level Medicare for All. He has called ICE a “violent extremist group” and outlined how he, as governor, would prosecute ICE agents.
He has also been endorsed by a number of major labor unions, including the California Teachers Association, the California Federation of Teachers, AFSCME 3299, Unite HERE, the California Nurses Association, and the California Labor Federation, as well as progressive groups such as Our Revolution and Courage California, and former gubernatorial candidate Betty Yee.
Notably, Steyer is one of two Democrats in the race, alongside Tony Thurmond, to explicitly support California’s law protecting trans girls’ participation in girls’ sports; Becerra, on the other hand, glibly stated that “there’s nothing in the Constitution that says that you are entitled to play a sport”, and other Democrats, including Porter, agreed.
However, while Steyer has disavowed AIPAC’s influence on Democratic primaries (although, notably, AIPAC does not involve itself in non-federal races) and acknowledged that Israel is committing war crimes, he has refused to call Israel’s actions in Palestine a genocide and claimed that he “honestly does not know what genocide means.”
We find this rhetorical trick to be pulled from the same Zionist playbook that motivates genocide denial across the political spectrum—playing dumb about the daily horrors and atrocities Israel commits is not “progressive” in any way.
Additionally, Steyer is a billionaire. Even if he glibly considers himself a “class traitor”, his wealth was earned through the exploitation of the working class. Much of his wealth was also invested in private prisons and coal mining, accumulated by the same things he now decries.
“Even if he glibly considers himself a ‘class traitor,’ his wealth was earned through the exploitation of the working class,” the group wrote.
🚨 LMAO!! The official Democratic SOCIALISTS of America organization has just endorsed *BILLIONAIRE* Tom Steyer (D) for Governor of California
You can’t make this crap up.
WILL CAIN: “Try to follow this. Self-described socialists are backing a billionaire for governor.” 🤡… pic.twitter.com/dRsbee9cGb
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) May 11, 2026
He has previously embraced the “class traitor” label, even wearing campaign merchandise featuring the phrase.
Despite pouring huge sums into advertising, recent polling shows Steyer trailing former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra in the Democratic primary.
CALIFORNIA POLL – Governor (top 2 advance)
🟥 Steve Hilton: 22% (+4)
🟦 Xavier Becerra: 20% (+10)
🟦 Tom Steyer: 14% (-2)
🟥 Chad Bianco: 13% (-1)
🟦 Katie Porter: 9% (+1)
🟦 Matt Mahan: 9% (+5)
🟦 A. Villaraigosa: 1%(+/- change vs 4/12-18)
——
Kreate Strategies | 5/5-9 | 900… pic.twitter.com/lh33qXp9pC— InteractivePolls (@IAPolls2022) May 11, 2026
The DSA boasts roughly 100,000 members nationwide, and has the formal backing of the likes of Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI).
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