Steyer Campaign Files Complaint Over Becerra Influencer Disclosures

Tom Steyer’s campaign for governor filed a complaint Tuesday with California’s Fair Political Practices Commission accusing two social media creators of failing to disclose payments for posts supporting Xavier Becerra. The complaint alleges that Jay Gonzalez produced at least 14 pro-Becerra posts on Instagram and Facebook in late April and early May after being hired by the campaign and only later added sponsorship disclosures.

It also states that Maggie Reed, who posts as mermaidmamamaggie, created four pro-Becerra posts on Instagram. The complaint further alleges that the Becerra campaign did not report payments to either creator in its campaign filings.

Background on disclosure rules California law passed in 2023 requires creators who produce paid political content to disclose the sponsor in their posts. Campaigns must notify hired influencers of the requirement, though the onus for disclosure rests with the creators.

Violations can lead the commission to seek a court order for compliance but do not carry criminal, civil, or administrative penalties.

Responses from both sides A Becerra campaign spokesman said the campaign has not paid any influencers for supportive posts and described all online content as organic. Maggie Reed stated she has never accepted or been offered money from the Becerra campaign and endorsed Becerra based on his policies.

The complaint follows a prior filing last week by two Becerra supporters who accused Steyer’s campaign of similar disclosure failures with its own paid influencers.