In growing fight, Steyer's campaign says pro-Becerra influencers didn't disclose pay
Key takeaways
- Reed and a talent agency that represents her did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
- The Becerra campaign maintained that it has not paid influencers who have created posts in support of the campaign.
- Tom Steyer’s campaign appears to have relied on paid influencers more than any candidate for governor, according to the most recent campaign finance filings.
Xavier Becerra and Tom Steyer talk at a climate forum for California governor candidates in January. (Matei Horvath / Getty Images for California Environmental Voters) By Ben Wieder Staff Writer May 19, 2026 3:19 PM PT 4 min Click here to listen to this article Share via Close extra sharing options Email Facebook X Linked In Threads Reddit Whats App Copy Link URL Copied! Print 0:00 0:00 1x This is read by an automated voice. Please report any issues or inconsistencies here.
WASHINGTON — In the latest escalation of a fight over the use of paid social media creators, Tom Steyer’s campaign for governor filed a complaint Tuesday accusing influencers who posted content supportive of Xavier Becerra’s campaign of failing to disclose that they had been paid, which is required by California law.
The complaint, filed with California’s Fair Political Practices Commission, accuses Jay Gonzalez of producing at least 14 pro-Becerra posts on Instagram and Facebook in late April and early May, after he was hired by the campaign, and only belatedly editing the posts to acknowledge they had been sponsored by the campaign.