Tom Steyer and CA Nurses Hold Press Conference on May 5 in Oakland

California Nurses Association Backs Tom Steyer for Governor

The California Nurses Association (CNA), the largest union of registered nurses in the state, has announced its support for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tom Steyer. A press conference is scheduled in Oakland, California, on Tuesday, May 5, where CNA leaders will express why they view Steyer as the preferred candidate for progressive reform. The union's initiative to mobilize its 125,000 members for the upcoming election will also be highlighted.

Members of the media will have the chance to engage with CNA leaders and Tom Steyer during the event. Attendance requires an RSVP, with details provided below.

Event Details

Event: Press conference with California Nurses Association and Tom Steyer

Date: May 5, 2026, at 9:30 am. Doors open at 9:00 am.

Location: 155 Grand Avenue, Oakland, Calif.

Speakers and Guests: Tom Steyer; CNA President Sandy Reding; CNA President Cathy Kennedy; CNA President Michelle Gutierrez-Vo; CNA Executive Director Puneet Maharaj.

RSVP REQUIRED. RSVP FORM HERE.

CNA Executive Director Puneet Maharaj emphasized the union's stance, stating, “We are done with Democrats whose allegiance is to corporate health care donors, not the working people who voted for them. We demand leadership beholden to patients, not profits. Tom Steyer is that candidate.”

In February 2026, when the CNA first announced its endorsement, CNA President Sandy Reding highlighted Steyer’s alignment with the union’s principles. “The strong positions Tom Steyer is taking are non-negotiable to us, and his willingness to take them has earned him our endorsement,” Reding stated. “We demand guaranteed health care for all that’s not controlled by greedy insurance corporations, and we also demand a society in which our patients feel safe walking down the street, going to work, and leaving home to seek medical care — without being brutalized, kidnapped, or even murdered by secret masked ICE agents. Steyer shares nurses’ values and moral clarity on these issues.”

Tom Steyer expressed gratitude for the endorsement, saying, "Nurses are the heart of our health care system, caring for our loved ones, saving lives, and holding our communities together. At a time when health care is under attack from Donald Trump, our next governor must be a fierce and unwavering advocate for nurses because when nurses are supported, patients and communities are healthier. That’s why I’m proud to earn the endorsement of the California Nurses Association. As governor, I will fight for single-payer health care so nurses can deliver the best health care to Californians for the lowest cost.”

The California Nurses Association/National Nurses United stands as the largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses in the nation, with over 100,000 members across more than 200 facilities in California and more than 225,000 RNs nationwide.

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