Bernie Sanders' anti-billionaire group defends surprising endorsement of billionaire for CA governor

By Fox News · Fox News

Democratic socialist Bernie Sanders ' anti-billionaire progressive group has endorsed its first billionaire candidate, Tom Steyer, in the crowded field campaigning to be California's next governor. Our Revolution's platform centers on eliminating corporate and billionaire influence in politics and supporting candidates who vow to get big money out of politics. But that didn't stop their endorsement of Steyer, who has spent roughly $120 million of his own money on his campaign, about 30 times more than his Democratic competitors. While Our Revolution acknowledged that Steyer is a billionaire in its endorsement, the grassroots group suggests he is using his fortune for good by running a campaign focused on left-leaning policies such as single-payer healthcare, removing corporate influence in politics and "taxing extreme wealth." The group also said their endorsement "is also about winning," "Tom Steyer understands that California’s affordability crisis is not inevitable — it’s the result of a political system shaped by concentrated wealth and corporate power at the expense of working people," Our Revolution Executive Director Joseph Geevarghese said in a statement. "At a moment when too many defend the status quo, Tom has taken a different path — challenging the very system that benefits people like him." BERNIE SANDERS, AOC, TAKE AIM AT TRUMP AND MUSK, AS WELL AS DEMOCRATS, AT WESTERN RALLIES Sanders, who has long railed against the existence of billionaires , has called Steyer a "friend," but he has also said he is not a "fan of billionaires getting involved" in politics. Our Revolution also said rallying behind Steyer is based on the need to back a "winning" candidate. "In a high-stakes race where Republicans could take the top spot, consolidating behind a candidate who is both values-aligned and building momentum is essential," Our Revolution said in a statement. "Our organizers on the ground in California are seeing real energy around Steyer for Governor — and t…