"Eight Democrats are running for governor. In most conventions I've covered, candidates typically speak to the assembled delegates, then make themselves available to the news media. This time, with such a packed house, each got less than ten minutes, and left through a back door, so I never got to question them directly. So I did the best I could, talking to staffers, asking for media contacts, and listening to what the candidates said in their presentations to the delegates."
"I asked representatives from every campaign to tell me where their candidate stood. Some Katie Porter staffers said she decided to back the measure today; I asked for confirmation and got none. Some Betty Yee backers said they think she might support it; I asked for official confirmation and got none. Same for Eric Swalwell. If they want to be on record in support of this plan, they are not making much of an effort to let the voters know."
"Tom Steyer, who is a billionaire who talks about taxing billionaires (and is the only candidate who has made this a centerpiece of his campaign) says that the measure is flawed. I agree; it should be an annual tax, and I'm sure, as Steyer says, "we can do better." His press office said he would vote for it "if it's the only thing on the ballot to raise revenues for health care and education." That's hardly a ringing endorsement."
At the California Democratic Party convention, most gubernatorial candidates did not publicly support the proposed billionaire wealth tax. Delegates heard brief presentations and candidates left through a back door, limiting opportunities for direct media questioning. Only Tony Thurmond has openly and actively supported the measure, and that support is recent. Campaign representatives offered unclear or unconfirmed statements about Katie Porter, Betty Yee, and Eric Swalwell. Tom Steyer calls the measure flawed, advocates an annual tax, and said he would vote for the measure only if it is the only ballot option to raise revenues for health care and education.
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