Sacramento, CA – The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) California today announced the 750,000 member organization’s dual endorsement of Tom Steyer and Xavier Becerra in the race for California’s next governor.
Arnulfo De La Cruz, President of SEIU California and SEIU 2015 made the following statement:
“California needs a bold leader who will stand with workers to protect California from Donald Trump’s assault on our people and our values and the guts to stand up to the most powerful and wealthy corporations in the world. After interviewing the candidates and having their questions answered, SEIU members are endorsing two candidates who are deeply committed to working people and have shown the fortitude needed to defeat MAGA and corporate candidates this November: former California Attorney General and U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and steadfast working families ally and philanthropist Tom Steyer.
“Tom Steyer has taken on the biggest, most harmful corporations – and won. He faced down Big Oil to curb pollution that compromises our kids’ health and fuels the climate catastrophes making us all unsafe. He led the fight against Big Tobacco and brought more investments in health care to our state. And with our democracy at risk, Steyer stepped up alongside us to fight for it. He was instrumental in stopping Trump’s plan to steal the midterm elections, joining workers to pass Prop. 50.
“As Governor, Tom Steyer is committed to closing the corporate tax loopholes and ending the special carve-outs that leave working people paying more in taxes than many profitable corporations. Steyer knows our state can’t afford to let corporations freeload off our safety net and force working class taxpayers to cover the costs. He’s committed to standing with workers to hold corporations accountable and protect Medi-Cal and food aid for families Trump has left vulnerable.
“The son of immigrants whose dad was a union member, Xavier Becerra understands that workers’ strength is what makes the California dream. He’ll bring these values to the Governor’s office, holding corporations accountable and tackling the high costs hitting working people the hardest. As Attorney General, Becerra fought unlawful mergers that gave hospital giants unfair market power to push prices higher. As Secretary of Health and Human Services, Becerra capped out of pocket costs for seniors and tackled the high costs of prescription medications for those relying on Medicaid and Medicare.
“And with ICE and CBP terrorizing our communities, we know Xavier Becerra will be fearless in standing up to Trump and protecting our communities. As Attorney General, Becerra sued Trump 122 times – fighting for California’s Dreamers, our environment, and our reproductive rights.
“To achieve our UnRig California agenda – protecting our communities from Trump’s cruel and reckless HR1 and restoring people power in place of corporate power – we’ll need a courageous and committed partner in the Governor’s Office. The 750,000 working people of SEIU California know Xavier Becerra and Tom Steyer are ready to stand by us.”
Members of SEIU local unions in California come together with one voice to make endorsements for state offices after members meet with candidates and make recommendations.