Posted on 04/18/2018 4:52:02 PM PDT by MarvinStinson
The widening chasm between progressive and establishment Democrats in California was exemplified this week by an endorsement from liberal billionaire and environmentalist Tom Steyer.
Steyer waded into California Senate race Wednesday to endorse Kevin de León, the primary challenger to Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D., Calif.), according to the Los Angeles Times.
The race between de León, seen as the most viable challenger, and the long-serving Feinstein has intensified in recent weeks. The two have openly sparred over universal health care and how California's elected officials should respond to President Donald Trump.
In his endorsement, the environmentalist billionaire applauded the 51-year-old de León as a strong progressive who emulated California, more so than the 84-year-old Feinstein.
"I think he’s the kind of young progressive that reflects California and would be a very strong advocate for our state nationally," Steyer said.
Steyer further elaborated on his decision for backing de León in a statement received by Politico.
"I have known Sen. de León for years and have fought alongside him on immigrant rights, expanding health care, and climate change," Steyer said. "Our work together on behalf of all Californians has assured me that he would be a champion of California's priorities and values."
The endorsement is the latest snub Feinstein has encountered from the left as she attempts to secure a full fifth term in the U.S. Senate. This is also not the first time Steyer has publicly castigated the senator.
One day after Feinstein announced her reelection bid, Steyer sent a letter to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee urging candidates up and down the ballot to support impeaching the president. Steyer, who at the time was mulling his own challenge to Feinstein, wrote there was "no time for ‘patience'" and that it was "clear for all to see that there is zero reason to believe ‘he can be a good president.'" The letter was a direct rebuke of comments Feinstein made in August of 2017, where the senator suggested Trump was capable of being "a good president."
In his endorsement, Steyer praised Feinstein as "an outstanding public servant" but said de León was the "true progressive" in the race.
"Sen. Feinstein has been an outstanding public servant who has dedicated the bulk of her adult life to the service of our state and the country," Steyer said. "I just believe Kevin is the true progressive and he reflects something we need representing California going forward."
"I have nothing bad to say about Dianne Feinstein," Steyer added. "I have a lot of good to say about Kevin de León."
The endorsement, if followed by outside financial support, could prove consequential for de León to overcome Feinstein in the June 5 primary. The incumbent has so far led de León in name recognition and fundraising. When asked if Steyer would underwrite de León's campaign, the billionaire demurred, according to the Times.
"I don’t have any concrete plans for that," Steyer said.
La Reconquista will soon have its own senator; a man who admits to helping 50% of his family who are illegally here come here and stay here and who hired an illegal alien to work on a state board and proudly announced it.
Democrats in CA battling each other.
Blue Wave? What Blue Wave?
“I have nothing bad to say about Dianne Feinstein,” Steyer added. “I have a lot of good to say about Kevin de León.”
“Crackpots” pretty much covers all three of them.
Red Wave. Commie vs. Commie-er.
Feinstein is going to have to rely on some Republican votes, wonder if she goes along with any of Trump’s agenda?
Just Wow, how far Left do you have to be in Kaliforniia?
you have to be part of the reconquista conspiracy or you’re out. Mexifornia.
these left wing billionaires are a joke!
if they ever get even a tenth of what they want to do to this country, their communist-brigade-’beneficiaries’ will still eat them alive..
Which side is Marx and which side is Lenin?
Ya know, the monkey in the ballroom that nobody addresses is why does Steyer give money for other people to run but does not run himself?
The traitor Steyer has a big mouth that will get him into serious trouble, and his billions won’t rescue him.
Cranston, Boxer and Brown have been horrible enough, but this new crop coming up is so bad and lawless/reckless and insane they’re breaking new walls of treasonous totalitarian derangement.
California was saner and more competitive then. The only thing that would make a Democrat unpopular would be urging fiscal restraint and enforcing immigration laws.
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