Former Rep. Katie Porter\u2019s gubernatorial prospects are uncertain in the aftermath of the emergence of two videos that underscore long-swirling rumors that the Irvine Democrat is thin-skinned and a short-tempered boss.<\/p>\n
How Porter responds in coming days could determine her viability in next year\u2019s race to replace termed-out Gov. Gavin Newsom, according to both Democratic and Republican political strategists.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone\u2019s had a bad day. Everyone\u2019s done something that they wouldn\u2019t want broadcast, right? You don\u2019t want your worst boss moment, your worst employment moment, your worst personal moment, captured on camera,\u201d said Christine Pelosi, a prominent Democratic activist from the Bay Area and a daughter of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.<\/p>\n
\u201cI definitely think that it\u2019s a question of what comes next,\u201d said Pelosi, who had endorsed former Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis before she dropped out of the race.<\/p>\n
Porter, the 2026 gubernatorial candidate who has a narrow edge in the polls, came under scrutiny this week when a recording emerged of her brusquely threatening to end a television interview after growing increasingly irritated by the reporter\u2019s questions<\/a>.<\/p>\n After CBS reporter Julie Watts asked Porter<\/a> 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\u2019t need their support if she competed against a Republican in the November 2026 runoff election.<\/p>\n After Watts asked follow-up questions, Porter accused Watts of being \u201cunnecessarily argumentative,\u201d held up her hands towards the reporter\u2019s face and later said, \u201cI don\u2019t want this all on camera.\u201d<\/p>\n The following day, a 2021 video emerged of Porter berating a staffer who corrected her about electric vehicle information she was discussing with a member of the Biden administration. \u201cGet out of my f\u2014 shot!\u201d Porter said to the young woman after she came into view in the background of the video conference. Porter\u2019s comments in the video were first reported by Politico<\/a>.<\/p>\n Porter did not respond to multiple interview requests. She put out a statement about the 2021 video, saying: \u201cIt\u2019s no secret I hold myself and my staff to a high standard, and that was especially true as a member of Congress. I have sought to be more intentional in showing gratitude to my staff for their important work.\u201d<\/p>\n Several Porter supporters voiced support for her after the videos went viral on social media and became the focus of national news coverage as well as programs such as \u201cThe View.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIn this critical moment in our country, we don\u2019t need to be polite, go along to get along, establishment politicians that keep getting run over by the opposition,\u201d wrote Peter Finn and Chris Griswold, co-chairs of Teamsters California, which has endorsed Porter and represents 250,000 workers in the state. \u201cWe need strong leaders like Katie Porter that are willing to call it like it is and stand up and fight for everyday Californians.\u201d<\/p>\n EMILYs List, which supports Democratic women who back abortion rights, and Rep. Dave Min (D-Irvine), who won the congressional seat Porter left to unsuccessfully run for U.S. Senate last year, are among those who also released statements supporting the embattled Democratic candidate.<\/p>\n Lorena Gonzalez, president of the influential California Labor Federation, alluded to growing rumors in the state\u2019s Capitol before the videos emerged that powerful Democratic and corporate interests dislike Porter and have been trying to coax another Democrat into the race.<\/p>\n \u201cThe only thing that is clear after the past few days is that Katie Porter\u2019s willingness to take on powerful interests has the status quo very afraid and very motivated,\u201d Gonzalez said in a statement.<\/p>\n There has been a concerted effort to urge Sen. Alex Padilla into the race. The San Fernando Valley Democrat has said he won\u2019t make a decision until after voters decide Proposition 50, the redistricting proposal<\/a> he and other state Democratic leaders are championing, on the November ballot.<\/p>\n A pivotal indicator of Porter\u2019s plans is whether she takes part in two events that she is scheduled to participate in next week \u2014 a virtual forum Tuesday evening with the California Working Families Party and a live UC Student and Policy Center Q&A on Friday in Sacramento.<\/p>\n