What's Next for Katie Porter?
A closer look at how one viral week could reshape a once-promising political career
It’s been a brutal week for former congresswoman and current California gubernatorial candidate Katie Porter. In just a few short days, she’s gone from a front-runner in one of the most-watched state races to the center of a media frenzy — the kind that can make or break a political career.
Two clips — one showing Porter clashing with a CBS reporter and another showing her snapping at a staffer during a recorded event — have gone viral and reshaped the narrative around her campaign.
The CBS Interview
The first incident came during a sit-down interview with CBS News Sacramento’s Julie Watts. The conversation began like every other interview she had done with California’s gubernatorial candidates but took a sharp turn when Watts asked Porter how she planned to appeal to Californians who voted for Donald Trump.
Porter grew irritated and dismissed the question, saying, “If it’s me versus a Republican, I think that I will win the people who did not vote for Trump.” Watts followed up, reminding her that if her opponent in the general election was another Democrat, then she would need some Trump voters.
After accusing Watts of being “unnecessarily argumentative,” she threatened to end the interview.
“I don’t want to keep doing this,” Porter said. “I’m going to call it.”
Watts noted that all 11 other candidates had been asked the same follow-up questions, to which Porter snapped, “I don’t care. I don’t care.”
In an awkward end to the interview, Porter added, “I don’t want to have an unhappy experience with you. And I don’t want this all on camera.” CBS aired the interview Oct. 6, and the clip went viral.
The 2021 Zoom webinar
Barely a day after the CBS interview aired, a second video surfaced showing Porter in a harsher light. In an exclusive video obtained by Politico from July 2021, then-Rep. Porter lost her temper at a staffer during a virtual event with Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm discussing electric vehicles.
In the middle of the discussion, a staff member entered the frame to correct one of Porter’s statements. Porter abruptly stopped, glared off-camera and exploded in anger.
“Get out of my f—ing shot,” she yelled. “You were also in my shot before that. Stay out of my shot!”
The outburst was nothing short of shocking. Porter had visibly berated her staffer in front of a Biden Cabinet official. The newly released video fed a narrative that Porter’s temper with her team matched what viewers saw with the CBS reporter. In response to the video resurfacing, Porter issued an apology.
“It’s no secret I hold myself and my staff to a high standard,” she said to Politico. “I have sought to be more intentional in showing gratitude to my staff for their important work.”
The damage was already done. This was the second clip of Porter losing her cool in two days. If either incident happened on its own, it might have been survivable. But together, they paint a portrait of a candidate who is under immense pressure and is struggling to manage it.
What’s next for Porter?
Going forward, Katie Porter’s campaign faces steep challenges. These viral clips have altered how both voters and the media view her temperament. This perception could dominate media coverage in the coming weeks, as the possibility for more clips like these may emerge.
Her apology and explanation may help neutralize some of the backlash, particularly in her core base, but she will need sustained messaging and more disciplined appearances to rebuild trust.
Her opponents are almost certain to seize on the clips, framing them as proof that Porter lacks the steadiness and temperament needed for higher office.
Former California State Controller and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Betty Yee has publicly called on Porter to drop out of the race.
“Katie Porter is a weak, self-destructive candidate unfit to lead California,” Yee said in an X post. “The stakes are simply too high for her to stay in this race.”
Porter’s team must be ready with rapid responses and contrasting clips that emphasize her leadership style and ability to govern under stress.
Optics matter, especially as Porter and the race are receiving increased press scrutiny. Every misstep will be magnified. It is possible for Porter to pivot the narrative. She can lean harder into policy proposals and showcase moments of empathy to counterbalance these viral moments.
However, in the high-stakes setting of a California governor’s race, perception often turns fast. The momentum she once held has slowed. Porter must prove that she can withstand intense scrutiny without cracking.
The governor’s race is far from over, but Katie Porter’s margin for error is gone. A series of steady and disciplined appearances could revive her bid, but one more misstep could end it.