Tom Steyer rallies at Columbia HBCU on eve of presidential primary
California billionaire and philanthropist Tom Steyer, who is vying for Democratic nomination for president, spent the last night before the Saturday primary hosting a Get out the Vote Rally, in what seemed more like a party inside a dance club.
The event included appearances by America’s Next Top Model contestant Bianca Chardei, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Rapper Juvenile, and gospel singer Yolonda Adams, inside of the John Hurst Adams Gymnasium at Allen University, a historically black university.
But when Steyer took the stage to give his 11-minute speech, he exuded confidence ahead of Saturday’s primary, even leading the roughly 200 people at the rally in a “I Believe We Will Win!” chant.
“I believe we will turn the page on this injustice,” Steyer said. “I believe the hearts of the people in South Carolina, are so good and so strong .. that we shall in fact overcome.”
He pointed out he had visited the state more than any other candidate for the Democratic nomination and promised to never forget South Carolina after seeing economic injustice in the state.
“Win, lose or draw, I fell in love with the people of South Carolina,” Steyer said. “I am never leaving because this is a completely righteous fight and we’re going to win this fight.”
Steyer has risen in the polls in South Carolina, after investing heavily in staffing and advertisements leading up to Saturday’s primary. However, he still trails former Vice President Joe Biden and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders. Importantly, his standing has increased among African Americans, the key constituency in the Democratic Primary electorate.
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Steyer has made fighting racial justice a central tenant of his campaign in South Carolina, called for an investment of $125 billion over 10 years in HBCUs and reparations.
Among those in the crowd was Ronald Wright, 62, of Chapin, a retired electrician who previously worked for SCANA, who will be voting for Steyer.
He originally supported California Sen. Kamala Harris, but moved to Steyer after she dropped out.
Wright said his main issue is climate change, and believes Steyer is going to push to look into why the world is having its extreme weather issues.
“I think man is going to destroy the earth one day,” Wright said.
Sharon Green, 54, of Irmo, who is self employed, will be voting for Steyer on Saturday.
“I think we need a fresh new perspective on everything and he brings a lot to the table,” Green said. “He seems to be honest and caring about society, and I look forward to him enacting his policies in 2021.”
Green has been impressed with how much Steyer has spent in the state.
“Being a newcomer on the platform and new to South Carolina, he had to do what was needed in order to get the message out so people would know who he was,” Green said.
