Outbursts by Porter could hamper her bid for governor

Candidate has edge in polls. But incidents on videos raise questions about her temper.

- SEEMA MEHTA

KATIE PORTER is facing backlash over her conduct in recently emerged videos.

The emergence of two videos showing former Rep. Katie Porter in an unfavorable light have cast a cloud over her gubernatorial prospects, feeding perceptions among some that the Irvine Democrat is thin-skinned and a short-tempered boss.

How Porter responds in coming days could determine her viability in next year's race to replace termed-out Gov. Gavin Newsom, according to both Democratic and Republican political strategists.

"Everyone's had a bad day. Everyone's done something that they wouldn't want broadcast, right? You don't want your worst boss moment, your worst employment moment, your worst personal moment, captured on camera," said Christine Pelosi, a prominent Democratic activist from the Bay Area and a daughter of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

"I definitely think that it's a question of what comes next," said Pelosi, who had endorsed Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis before she dropped out of the race.

Porter, who has a narrow edge in polls in the 2026 governor's race, came under scrutiny last week when a recording emerged of her brusquely threatening to end a television interview after growing increasingly irritated by the reporter's questions.

After CBS reporter Julie Watts asked Porter what she would say to the nearly 6.1 million Californians who voted for President Trump in 2024, the UC Irvine law professor responded that she didn't need their support if she competed against a Republican in the November 2026 runoff election.

After Watts asked followup questions, Porter accused Watts of being "unnecessarily argumentative," held up her hands toward the reporter's face and later said, "I don't want this all on camera."