Tom Steyer’s Progressive Team Criticized Him in Tweets Later Removed

Before joining forces with billionaire Tom Steyer, staff at his campaign were once vocal critics, mocking his political ambitions in now-deleted online comments and tweets, as uncovered by The California Post.

Steyer, who has transitioned from billionaire to populist, was a recurring target of ridicule for members of The Fight Agency, the progressive campaign team credited with the success of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s campaign and now working with Steyer. Known for advocating higher taxes on the wealthy, Steyer has made headlines with his political moves.

“Mike Bloomberg and Tom Steyer should match, dollar for dollar, what they spend on their campaigns in donations to Stacey Abrams’ Fair Fight Action and David Plouffe’s Acronym,” tweeted Fight Agency Partner Morris Katz in 2019, referring to progressive political initiatives from the top Dems.

Despite launching an unsuccessful presidential campaign in 2020, Steyer has invested approximately $38 million of his personal wealth into his current bid for governor of California. This significant financial commitment hasn’t shielded him from criticism, particularly from those within political circles who previously expressed doubts about his candidacy.

“At least we’ve still got Tom Steyer!” Katz snarked in 2020 in response to news that former Rep. John Delaney dropped his presidential bid.

At one point, a member of The Fight Agency suggested that Steyer, along with fellow billionaire and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, should have withdrawn from the crowded 2020 primary debate stage to make room for other candidates.

The Fight Agency, known for its work on behalf of working-class candidates, is led by veterans of significant political campaigns such as those of Sen. Bernie Sanders and Sen. John Fetterman. Their approach is characterized by sharp messaging and impactful advertising.

Rebecca Katz, a partner at the agency, has been particularly vocal in her critique of billionaires participating in politics. She once dismissed Steyer’s 2020 self-financed presidential run as merely a “vanity project,” reflecting a common sentiment among progressives wary of wealthy individuals funding their own political endeavors.

“For the $100 million that Tom Steyer is planning to spend on this race, you could change the balance of every competitive state legislative chamber in America. Think about that for a second,” Katz fumed to Time Magazine in 2020.

“How can someone complain about how our democracy is being sold to the highest bidder, and then in the next breath pledge to spend $100 million to buy the highest office in the land?” she added.

“I don’t know how anyone can look at this primary field and think – you know what we need? Another white man.”

Katz has since changed her tune about the governor wannabe, telling The Bulwark that Steyer is “as clear-eyed on the problems and challenges we have in America—and California in particular—[as] anyone out there.”

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“Is he similar to some of our other clients? No, he is not,” she added. “But does he understand the problem, and does he have real solutions? One hundred f–ing percent.”

Fight Agency has also signed on with Graham Platner, the progressive Democrat looking to beat Maine Gov. Janet Mills for the party’s nomination. Both Mills and Platner are seeking to oust incumbent Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine).

Steyer is one of several Democrats competing in the governor’s race, including Rep. Eric Swalwell, former Rep. Katie Porter, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan and former state attorney general Xavier Becerra.

Steyer has positioned himself as a pro-union, pro-tax progressive who’s called for higher taxes on billionaires like himself and courted labor support, making a cameo at the contentious San Francisco teachers’ strike last week.

The agency did not immediately respond to a request for comment.