Tom Steyer Faces Criticism at May Day Rally

Democratic billionaire Tom Steyer has drawn criticism after appearing alongside key labor leaders at a May Day event in East San Jose, where he was branded a “class traitor.”

California Federation of Labor President Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher pointed out the moment on social media, stating, “When @TomSteyer showed up at the ‘Workers Over Billionaires’ May Day rally in East San Jose, you asked him to wear that shirt and he did! #ClassTraitor.”

His anti-billionaire message sparked backlash online, with critics accusing Steyer and organized labor of being politically opportunistic.

Some commentators noted Steyer’s disappointing run in the 2020 Democratic presidential primaries, arguing that he “wasted millions” and didn’t effectively compete, especially in South Carolina, where he dropped out behind candidates like Pete Buttigieg and Kamala Harris.

Others went as far as suggesting that Steyer was trying to “buy” his way into office, questioning whether labor unions were aligning with him purely for financial aid.

There were also doubts about his policy positions—some claimed he had shifted his stance on a single-payer healthcare system and warned that his leadership might exacerbate California’s high costs. One critic dismissed his rally participation as mere symbolism, remarking, “Just wearing a shirt with a slogan is fooling you.”

Our Revolution, a progressive group started by Senator Bernie Sanders, is facing some pushback for supporting Steyer’s gubernatorial campaign despite his wealth and self-proclaimed anti-billionaire rhetoric. They defended their stance on their website, acknowledging his billionaire status but emphasizing the significance of how he uses that influence.

Another social media user raised a pertinent question about the outflow of wealthy residents from California, asking, “Where should workers work with the billionaires fleeing the state?”

Meanwhile, Steyer’s campaign is contending with strong corporate opposition. Power giant Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) has reportedly funneled nearly $10 million into political action committees opposing him, as noted in recent filings. A group called Californians for Resilient and Affordable Energy (PAC) is supporting the anti-Steyer efforts.

Steyer has made PG&E a focus of his campaign, blaming them for rising energy costs and promising to slash utility bills by 25%. He also aims to dismantle electricity monopolies and raise taxes on the wealthy.

Despite the criticisms and challenges, Steyer continues to be a significant contender in an already crowded race.

A recent poll from EMC Research shows Xavier Becerra leading the pack, tied with Republican Steve Hilton, who has the backing of former President Donald Trump, both at 19%.