Columbia university, SC students featured in presidential hopeful’s new nationwide ad
Presidential hopeful Tom Steyer’s latest ad prominently features a Columbia historically black university and its students.
The digital ad, set to appear on screens nationwide, was filmed at Allen University, a private HBCU, and features hip-hop artist MC Lyte, who gained her fame in the 80s, Steyer’s campaign said Monday, announcing its roll out.
MC Lyte and Steyer, a billionaire businessman from California running for the Democratic nomination for president, held a town hall at Allen on Dec. 10 aimed at connecting with African American women. The event was hosted by the South Carolina Black Women’s Caucus, Black Women 2020 and the campaign. Footage from the event was included in the ad.
“This is a community that has made giant contributions to the United States of America and is only just starting,” Steyer said in the ad.
The campaign ad comes as Steyer struggles to gain traction with Democratic voters in South Carolina, polling in the single digits. Steyer made his first visit to South Carolina as a presidential candidate in July, months after many of his opponents began campaigning in the Palmetto State.
The ad also features Allen students who were interviewed after the event.
“I really feel like he came out and had an open ear for the black community, and I feel like he’s here to support us,” one student said.
The Steyer campaign would not disclose how much was spent to air the digital ad.
