Two women who campaigned for Congresswoman Michelle Steel in Orange County have filed a class action lawsuit against Elon Musk’s Political Action Committee (PAC), claiming they were denied promised wages and reimbursement for expenses.

Plaintiffs Tamiko Anderson and Patricia Kelly filed a lawsuit in Orange County Superior Court on October 30. They claim they were promised $25 for each door they knocked on to Steel’s campaign. However, they later discovered that their compensation would be determined by the number of homes they canvassed, which they argue was misleading.

Attorney Larry Lee from the Diversity Law Group, representing the plaintiffs emphasized that this case underscores a broader issue affecting many workers in gig economies. Nearly two-thirds of self-employed individuals in California work as independent contractors, including in gig roles such as rideshare and delivery.

The complaint also names Steel’s campaign, “Michelle Steel for Congress,” as a co-defendant. The plaintiffs allege that they were not reimbursed for job-related expenses, including using their cell phones to track their canvassing efforts. Musk and his political action committee (PAC) reportedly allocated over $100 million to elect Republican candidates this election cycle. The financial settlement might not significantly impact Steel or the Republican Party, as they will view it as a necessary cost of doing business.

According to OCLawyers.com, many legal professionals believe Anderson and Kelly’s claims are valid and could lead to a favorable outcome for the plaintiffs. The lawsuit accuses the defendants of violating several aspects of the California Labor Code, including failing to pay agreed-upon wages and reimbursing business expenses. Also named in the suit is Liberty Staffing Services, a Florida-based LLC that provided staffing support for the canvassing efforts. However, legal experts assert that the involvement of a staffing agency does not exempt Musk or Steel from complying with California labor laws.

Using a specialized staffing agency for canvassing work indicates that these political campaigns are responsible for adhering to labor laws. If the plaintiffs succeed in their lawsuit, the outcome could set a precedent requiring political campaigns and PACs to comply with strict wage and reimbursement regulations for contracted workers. Additionally, it may prompt other campaigns to reassess their compensation practices to reduce the risk of similar legal challenges.