Ray Huang, the far-left candidate for mayor of Los Angeles backed by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), has garnered significant campaign contributions. Recently reported donations include a notable sum from Michael Beyer, a Twitch streamer who faced a suspension last year after making controversial remarks about Jews.
In a livestream during 2024, Beyer, who goes by “Mike from PA,” stated, “Jews are not an ethnicity. This constructed ethnicity, this diabolical ethnicity, is completely fabricated.” His comments were deemed offensive, leading to his suspension from Twitch.
Following the backlash, he did apologize, clarifying that he intended to criticize what he termed the Zionist political identity, rather than being anti-Jewish.
Emel Shaikh, a spokesperson for Huang, noted that the candidate and Beyer have met a couple of times, including at a local DSA meeting. Shaikh emphasized that Huang does not plan to return the $1,800 donation from Beyer.
Beyer, along with the DSA, which openly critiques Israel as committing genocide in Gaza, aligns with Huang’s more radical political views. Huang has expressed his stance on Palestinian liberation, citing his personal experiences nearly two decades ago living with a Palestinian family in the West Bank.
As Huang campaigns, he is promoting a well-defined strategy aimed at reforming the Los Angeles Police Department. This includes calls for the replacement of current police leadership and changes to how legal expenses are handled within the city’s budget. He’s also advocating for the prosecution of officers who break the law, highlighting concerns that the police department consumes too much of the city’s resources while other vital services lag.
Recent polling shows Huang’s approval rating at a meager 3 percent, trailing behind more recognized contenders like Mayor Karen Bass, indicating a challenging path ahead for his campaign.
