To:           Interested Parties

From:      Heather Hargreaves, Steyer for Governor Campaign Manager

Date:       April 28, 2026

Memo:    Steyer Will Take on Special Interests and their Preferred Candidate in Tonight’s Debate

A brand-new CBS poll shows Tom Steyer as the strongest candidate to take on MAGA extremist Steve Hilton in the general election — and that will be clear on stage during tonight's debate.

Only Candidate Who Can Take on Special Interests

Despite a $21 million smear campaign and misleading attack ads funded by Big Oil, PG&E, and other corporate interests flooding the airwaves, Steyer still holds the momentum in the race.

Tom remains the change candidate in this race, and he cannot be bought or swayed by the special interest groups who continue to keep costs high for California families. 

This stands in contrast to the other Democrats on stage, who have collectively accepted millions from fossil fuel giants, Silicon Valley billionaires, and utility monopolies. We expect these attacks to continue, especially as Tom’s message of breaking the cycle of corporate influence continues to resonate.

While the other candidates on stage have deep-pocketed lobbyists in Sacramento, Tom has the support of thousands of nurses, teachers, health care workers, climate activists, progressive leaders, and entertainment industry workers. 

“Tax Me More”

We expect that Tom will double down on his position to tax billionaires like himself in order to bring down costs for California families at the pump and in the doctor’s office.  Central to this effort is Tom’s plan — released in January — to close a tax loophole in order to fund housing, education, and economic development across the state. 

Becerra, Career Politician, in Question

This week, voters have learned about Becerra’s 36-year record that raises serious questions about his ability to lead in times of crisis, without favoring the corporate interests who have long supported him. Specifically, California voters deserve to hear from him on:

• Accepting money from Big Oil — and failing to hold corporate polluters accountable. Becerra has had no problem accepting corporate donations from Big Oil and the utility companies, then failing to hold them accountable for endangering the health of Californians. Becerra has accepted the maximum donation from Chevron — and Tom yesterday called on him to return the donation.
• Mishandling of the migrant crisis: Over 85,000 migrant children were unaccounted for under his watch as HHS Secretary after he stripped background checks.. Even 26 of his own fellow Democrats — including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez– expressed their “deep concerns.”
• Mismanaging public health crises at the expense of the vulnerable. As HHS secretary, Becerra was 'invisible' during COVID-19, then delayed the response to the growing Monkeypox epidemic, and planned to leave the bird flu vaccine response to the incoming Trump administration. His own fellow cabinet secretaries took note, citing his failure to lead when times got tough.

With Primary Election Day just 35 days away, voters deserve to see a real contrast in records and understand the true story behind the candidates. Tom remains the only unbought candidate with a vision to address the urgent affordability crisis facing California families.

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