Steyer Campaign Under FPPC Probe for Undisclosed Influencer Payments

The California Fair Political Practices Commission opened a probe after a complaint said Tom Steyer’s gubernatorial campaign paid influencers without the disclaimer required by the 2024 state law extending the Political Reform Act to political messaging. The law mandates a clear paid-partnership label on any such post.

Tom Steyer Allegedly Paid Texas Influencer Carlos Eduardo Espina 100k to Influence California Latino Voters. Here’s What We Know

Finance filings show $10,000 paid to Instagram influencer Isaiah Washington (“zaydante”) and $100,000 paid to TikTok creator Carlos Eduardo Esp ina. Neither post originally carried the required disclaimer; Washington’s Instagram video was later labeled, while Esp ina’s videos with a “Tom Steyer for Governor” shirt remained undisclosed. The disclosed influencer spend totals $110,000 of Steyer’s $132 million budget.

Tom Steyer Allegedly Paid Texas Influencer Carlos Eduardo Espina 100k to Influence California Latino Voters. Here’s What We Know

Steyer campaign spokesperson Kevin Liao said payments appear in finance records and creators were notified of the disclosure requirement, calling the complaint baseless. Complainants Kaitlyn Hennessy and Beatrice Gomberg said they observed a pattern of pro-Steyer, anti-Becerra posts lacking the disclaimer. A Xavier Becerra campaign spokesperson declined comment, noting no known coordination with Steyer’s team.

KXTV - Sacramento NewsTom Steyer Allegedly Paid Texas Influencer Carlos Eduardo Espina 100k to Influence California Latino Voters. Here’s What We Know

Hennessy and Gomberg, small-business owners and Becerra supporters, argue the campaign’s practice undermines transparency and violates the Political Reform Act. Critics also question hiring Texas-based influencer Esp ina to address California voters, suggesting a disconnect between his location and the state’s issues.

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It is unclear whether Washington’s Instagram disclaimer was added before or after the FPPC filing. The campaign says it notifies creators of disclosure duties; influencers argue their advisory role exempted them from labeling, leaving compliance responsibility disputed.

Tom Steyer Allegedly Paid Texas Influencer Carlos Eduardo Espina 100k to Influence California Latino Voters. Here’s What We Know

The investigation arrives weeks before the June 2, 2026 Democratic primary, where the issue could affect voter perceptions of Steyer’s integrity. It also highlights a regulatory gap: federal rules do not yet cover paid political content on social media, leaving state agencies as enforcers. The FPPC will audit finance records, interview staff and influencers, and may issue fines or corrective orders, setting precedent for future California campaigns.

Tom Steyer Allegedly Paid Texas Influencer Carlos Eduardo Espina 100k to Influence California Latino Voters. Here’s What We Know

• “They choose what do to. They endorse us because they believe in our platform, or they don’t endorse us,” — Tom Steyer, Gubernatorial Candidate

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• “[What we were seeing] was all very pro-Steyer, anti-Becerra,” — Kaitlyn Hennessy, Content Creator

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• “Consistent with state law, payments for creator content are disclosed in campaign finance records, and we notify creators we directly work with of their disclosure requirements. As a result, we are confident the complaint is baseless,” — Kevin Liao, Steyer Campaign Spokesperson

Tom Steyer Allegedly Paid Texas Influencer Carlos Eduardo Espina 100k to Influence California Latino Voters. Here’s What We Know

• “You can’t see where the money is coming from, and you can’t see where it’s going.” — Brendan Fischer, Campaign Legal Center

Tom Steyer Allegedly Paid Texas Influencer Carlos Eduardo Espina 100k to Influence California Latino Voters. Here’s What We Know