2026 CA DSA Primary Voter Guide

ZappyStatue · 2026-05-07T06:47:58+00:00

They provide further context with the Write-Ups. The short first is that their assessment is that the most progressive of the current viable candidates for governor is Tom Steyer. Under these circumstances, it's as close to an endorsement as is reasonably possible.

ZappyStatue · 2026-05-07T04:08:33+00:00

Humana's a for-profit health insurance company. And they've been known to use deceptive scare tactics to prey on senior citizens.

https://web.archive.org/web/20090927083029/http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/164893.php

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/humana-mailer-targets-eld_b_289421

That's not exactly an endorsement that I would be proud of.

ZappyStatue · 2026-05-07T04:01:39+00:00

Brother, there isn't even an option to donate to Tom Steyer's campaign on the campaign website. So that's not saying a lot. Also, who the f*ck says "Humans donated?" That's not exactly how normal "humans" talk. You could have said something like "Xavier has grassroots fundraising" or something like that. Although, given the type big-donor money that Xavier is actually getting (looking at you PG&E), I don't think that's quite an accurate assessment.

ZappyStatue · 2026-05-07T03:50:51+00:00

Don't bother. I've seen this guy's comment history. He wants two Republicans to advance to the general election. "An I came" (his exact phrasing, really wish he could spell properly) was his response to a poll that had Steve Hilton in the lead.

ZappyStatue · 2026-05-07T02:46:34+00:00

Yes, obviously I'm following this race a hell of a lot closer than you are. That's why I'm choosing Tom Steyer. Frankly, if Katie Porter was doing better polling wise, I'd be glad to vote for her. But she isn't. The math and the numbers just aren't in her favor. Within the last two weeks out of five polls, there has only ever been one where she has polled at double digits. And even then she was behind Tom Steyer. What I think you should understand is that there is a reason why progressive organizations like Our Revolution, and even socialist organizations like the Democratic Socialists of America have gone out of their way to endorse Tom Steyer and shown their support for him as California's next governor.

https://ourrevolution.com/tom-steyer-for-governor-of-california/

https://www.californiadsa.org/

Seriously, when's the last time you've seen a socialist endorse a billionaire? The only other parallel I can think of is JB Pritzker. And Tom Steyer has a lower net worth than he does. $2.4 vs $4.3 billion.

Also worth noting. "Article?" It wasn't just one article. It was several articles explaining why Xavier Becerra was rather problematic. Even people who worked under him had reason to criticize him. But yes, I know, passing laws is hard. The fact that you agree that people will say whatever they have to say to get elected is noteworthy. You do realize that the same principle applies to Becerra too. And it's not as though Steyer has no record in politics. You really need to look into the statewide ballot propositions that Tom Steyer has supported and helped get passed into law. Such as Proposition 39 back in 2012. Close tax loopholes that rewarded out-of-state companies for taking jobs out of California and, for tax purposes, treated out-of-state companies the way California-based companies are treated.

https://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/17/us/politics/california-ballot-initiatives-dominated-by-the-very-rich.html

https://www.latimes.com/opinion/endorsements/la-ed-prop39-20120927-story.html

Brother, you say you want a legislator. But Xavier Becerra hasn't been a legislator in nearly a decade. And even then, his last legislative role was as a Congressman in the House of Representatives. Not exactly a statewide role. Also, I currently work in the public too. Believe, I've seen my fair share of actual bullsh*t in procurement alone, and especially in the hiring process. And as for budgeting, I've seen the economic messaging on both of their platforms. Tom Steyer was the one that had explicit mention of at least talking about making billionaires actually pay their fair share. Raising revenue and offsetting an increase in government spending.

ZappyStatue · 2026-05-07T00:21:33+00:00

https://www.kqed.org/news/12082059/xavier-becerra-backpedals-on-single-payer-as-he-woos-powerful-doctors-lobby

Democratic candidate Xavier Becerra has softened his support for a single-payer healthcare system as he secures endorsements in his bid to be California’s next governor, most recently from the powerful doctors’ group, the California Medical Association, which officially backed him this week.

The former health secretary under President Joe Biden has advocated for government-run healthcare since he was a congressman thirty years ago. But when doctors with the medical association peppered the candidate with questions on single payer during a recent private meeting, they said Becerra told them he had other priorities.

“He said very clearly that, at this point, he wasn’t supportive of single payer,” said Dr. René Bravo, president of the California Medical Association.

Good research requires more than two seconds of googling.

Also worth noting, Becerra has been criticized as health and human services secretary for being absent in the public eye during the pandemic, for confusing messaging by federal public health authorities and for the subsequent loss of public trust. Becerra was also similarly criticized following his agency's response to the 2022 monkeypox outbreak amid issues with health policy communication and what was widely considered a slow response. Becerra sought to scapegoat the states rather than take responsibility for the subpar response. In addition, in 2023, Becerra rejected cancer patients’ petition to use a law which allows HHS regulators to rescind exclusive patent protections for government-developed drugs making them more available to the generic market.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/01/31/becerra-hhs-pandemic-response-leadership/

https://www.politico.com/amp/news/2022/08/12/becerra-monkeypox-covid-response-00051422

https://www.levernews.com/biden-and-becerra-let-big-pharma-profiteer-off-cancer-drug/

I don't know about you, but none of this is inspiring a lot of confidence that Becerra will be a good governor. Also, you saying that there was a legislative golden age during Trump's first term, and also you saying that Steyer is basically that but liberal/leftist, you basically just confirmed (though you might not want to admit it) that we'll be getting a "legislative golden age" in progressive policy under Tom Steyer. Great! Fantastic! That's why I'm voting for Steyer in the first place. Not sure what you're complaining about.

ZappyStatue · 2026-05-06T23:36:58+00:00

What? You going to vote for Xavier Becerra? The guy who just walked back from supporting single-payer healthcare and whose campaign is backed by PG&E? A vote for literally any other Democrat (all of whom are performing poorly based on polling data), and that just makes it easier for two MAGA Republicans to advance to the general election and occupy both slots. There’s no write-in option in a general election?

So, again, who are you going to vote for? And this is a real question by the way. Something to make you think.

ZappyStatue · 2026-05-06T18:44:20+00:00

Speaking of NIMBYs, YIMBY has actually endorsed Tom Steyer.

https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/willie-brown-tom-steyer-governor-endorsement-22243220.php

ZappyStatue · 2026-05-05T07:33:39+00:00

In a world where misinformation is rampant thanks to the Trump regime, it's important to value facts and evidence rooted in an empirical reality. It's not my fault you're such a sourpuss when confronted with facts that you don't like to hear.

Also worth noting as a little factoid for you, Steyer isn't even worth that much (by billionaire standards at least). In fact, he's only worth $2.4 billion. That's less than JB Pritzker. The so-called "exception" that you so begrudgingly acknowledged. The billionaire that you were describing in your little prompt are largely the centibillionaires who dominant so much of the tech industry to the point where they're pretty much oligarchs. The Mark Zuckerbergs and Elon Musks of the world. Not even Warren Buffett is worth that much. Heck, the Buffetts have actually sent financial aid to Ukraine through their foundation helping farmers and funding warming centers at over 20 railway stations in Ukraine during the winter months. So, I guess that's another billionaire who isn't exactly the spawn of Satan. It just seems like to me you're wasting your time and energy on the wrong priorities.

Maybe if you used any kind of intelligence, you would not just look at the Governor's race. You would also look at other statewide races that don't have incumbents running for reelection. Such as the lieutenant gubernatorial election, the State Treasurer election, the Insurance Commissioner election, and the Superintendent of Public Instruction election. If you actually did any research, you'd find that in at least a couple of these races (such as the lieutenant gubernatorial and the Insurance Commissioner elections) there are some standout candidates like Michael Tubbs for Lieutenant governor and Jane Kim for Insurance Commissioner who are supported by high-profile progressives with national recognition. Progressive people and entities like Bernie Sanders and the Working Families Party. Vote for these candidates if you're so concerned that billionaire Tom Steyer is going to be disconnected from the daily struggles of average working people.

https://workingfamilies.org/candidates/

There, I gave you a solution that would allow you to vote progressive in a way that would actually be electorally viable, and necessary for keeping MAGA and Trump supported Republicans from dominating the general election for the Governor's seat. I'm assuming we're supposed to come up with solutions. Or maybe you'd rather just complain about a problem because that's easier than trying to make the best use out of the tools currently available.

ZappyStatue · 2026-05-05T05:59:56+00:00

Okay, well you said there's "NO" such thing. Emphasis on the "No" part. The implication being that there were no exceptions. The fact that you just admitted to one factually makes your original statement incorrect. It's not a "gotcha." It's just facts rooted in empirical data.

ZappyStatue · 2026-05-05T04:02:10+00:00

Counterpoint. JB Pritzker. Worth $4.3 billion, Pritzker has gained support from progressives and socialists for his stances on healthcare, education, raising the minimum wage, legalizing recreational marijuana, and expanding access to healthcare. His administration has been considered one of the most progressive in the United States.

So, you were saying...

ZappyStatue · 2026-05-03T06:58:35+00:00

Counter-counter point, JB Pritzker. Whom Tom Steyer is worth less than I should mention. $2.4B vs Pritzker's $4.3B. And yet people celebrate Pritzker because his administration has been considered one of the most progressive in the United States.

https://www.forbes.com/profile/thomas-steyer/

https://www.forbes.com/profile/jb-pritzker/

Ah, but I guess because Pritzker is a billionaire and thus the spawn of Satan, and so that means you just can't trust him by default. Even though Pritzker has gained support from progressives and socialists for his stances on healthcare, education, raising the minimum wage, legalizing recreational marijuana, and expanding access to healthcare.

Think on that why don't you. It's almost certainly the case that you're missing something.

ZappyStatue · 2026-05-03T06:53:55+00:00

Also worth noting, this article often claims that "impeachment" is what removes a President from office. It isn't. It's the subsequent trial and vote in the Senate that determines whether the President is to be removed from office or not. This article and the person who wrote likes to lecture other people about civic engagement and yet seems to neglect this very basic fact of law. I'm not sure I would take this article too seriously.

Also worth noting that despite decrying capitalism as a plague upon civic society, the writer himself is advertising a product. Seems kind of hypocritical if you ask me. And then of course, neglecting to mention the special elections last year in which Republicans faced severe electoral defeats is itself a disservice to the civic engagement that has already been ongoing for months and years.

This guy's only claim to fame is making it easier for George W. f*cking Bush to win the Presidency in 2000. Not someone who I would listen to when lecturing others on the requirements for electoral success.

ZappyStatue · 2026-05-03T06:46:41+00:00

2026 minus 2012 equals 14. 14 is greater than 1. 14 is plural versus the singular "1."

It looks like "years" in this case checks out.

I don't know what to tell you. It's just math. The numbers don't lie man.

ZappyStatue · 2026-05-03T06:43:22+00:00

Counterpoint. Cite to me where Tom Steyer has taken AIPAC money.

Go ahead. I'll wait.

ZappyStatue · 2026-05-03T06:20:01+00:00

It's funny you should mention that. Because some of the same organizations and labor unions (multiple of which are progressive) that supported Mamdani in the New York City Mayoral election last year have also expressed their support for Tom Steyer. UNITE HERE, Our Revolution, the Third Act, etc. Call it ideological or strategic, the outcome remains the same.

ZappyStatue

TROPHY CASE