Summary
Katie Porter, a potential Democratic candidate for governor of California, has not ruled out the possibility of more videos surfacing where she is critical of her staff members. In response to questions about a video from 2021, Porter acknowledged she could have handled the situation better. As Porter prepares for the California gubernatorial election in 2026, polling shows varying levels of support for her among other candidates.
Key Facts
- A video from 2021 showed Katie Porter rebuking a staff member during a call with then-Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm.
- Porter did not deny the possibility of more similar videos appearing in the future.
- Porter apologized for the incident and committed to improving her conduct.
- Another video showed her in a heated exchange during a CBS News interview, criticized for her handling of questions.
- In current polls, Porter leads among Democrats but trails conservative commentator Steve Hilton by 6 percentage points in one survey.
- An Emerson College poll from August showed Porter leading with 18% support in the primary for governor.
- California's primary election is set for June 2026, with the gubernatorial election on November 3, 2026.
