Yee, Atkins Make the Case for Tom Steyer: “Moving California Forward Means Tom Steyer”

Two of California’s most respected and experienced public servants are making it clear that Tom is the only choice in this race 

CALIFORNIA — Former California State Controller Betty Yee and Former California State Senate President Pro Tempore Toni Atkins joined a press call in support of Tom Steyer. Both leaders ran for governor this cycle before suspending their campaigns and endorsing Tom. Together, the two leaders bring more than 40 years of public service spanning the State Assembly, State Senate, and constitutional offices. 

The message from both leaders was clear: Tom is the only candidate who can deliver change. Yee put it plainly, stating “we don’t have the luxury of returning to a status quo.”

Yee underscored Tom’s commitment to shared economic prosperity and his track record of winning battles for working families: 

• “After I suspended my campaign, that endorsement was quite an easy one to make. I believe Tom is the best choice for California governor and the candidate we need to lead the state forward. We don’t have the luxury of returning to the status quo.”
• “I believe Tom is the best choice for California governor and the candidate we need to lead the state forward.”
• “We don't have the luxury of returning to a status quo before really looking at how we bring California forward to meet the challenges that are in addition to the affordability crisis.” 
• “We’re seeing layoffs now in the thousands rather than the hundreds as it relates to AI in the private sector… I know that women are going to be particularly affected because so many women are going to be losing traditional support jobs, administrative jobs that are being taken over by AI.”
• “People will look to California as continuing to be the beacon of hope and leadership and innovation, and we believe that Tom Steyer is the right governor who is going to propel us forward.”

Atkins, who built a 30-year career in elected office fighting for housing, healthcare, and economic justice spoke of his willingness to take on the status quo.

• “I think it says a lot that, frankly, the two most experienced individuals in state government have endorsed Tom Steyer for governor.”
• “I know all of the candidates in the race. I talked to every single candidate before I made a decision. Tom Steyer is different, I trust him. Everything is at stake in this election, and for me, moving California forward means Tom Steyer.”
• “His ideas for how to generate revenue in California, how to use that revenue for housing and for infrastructure in communities… to really take those resources and put them on issues that affect people's everyday lives.”
• “We're in a very, very interesting time, an inflection point. We have a lot of challenges… I just believe that Tom brings refreshing leadership to the state of California to help us with our most difficult issues.”
• “We've got a few weeks to make a real difference, and I'm going to spend every moment trying to make sure that people understand what it's going to take to move California forward, and for me that's Tom Steyer.”

With the June 2 primary less than two weeks away, Yee and Atkins made it clear that California cannot afford more of the same. Poll after poll shows that this is now a three-way race for two spots in November. Voters are deciding between  a Republican extremist, a corporate Democrat, and Steyer – the only progressive in the race who can win and deliver the structural change necessary to lower costs for working Californians.

###