.
.
Former California congresswoman Katie Porter is attempting to recover momentum in her campaign for governor following a challenging week marked by viral video clips and questions about her temperament.
Porter spoke with Inside California Politics host Nikki Laurenzo on Tuesday, expressing regret over the incidents.
“When I look at those videos, I want people to know that I understand I could have handled things better,” Porter said. “I think I’m known as someone who can handle tough questions, who’s willing to engage, and I want people to know I really value the incredible work of my staff.”
The scrutiny began after a clip of Porter’s interview with CBS reporter Julie Watts in Sacramento went viral last Wednesday. During the exchange, the Orange County Democrat dismissed the idea that she needed to court Trump voters to win the gubernatorial race. When pressed, Porter threatened to end the interview, calling the questions “unnecessarily argumentative,” though she ultimately continued.
An Emerson College poll commissioned by Inside California Politics in September had shown Porter leading the gubernatorial field with 16% support, ahead of Republican commentator Steve Hilton at 10%, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco at 8%, and former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra at 5%. No polling has been released since the viral videos.
Porter, a Harvard Law School graduate who represented California in Congress from 2019 to 2025, has also faced scrutiny for comments after failing to advance in last year’s open U.S. Senate race, when she said special interests tried to “rig” the election—a statement she later apologized for.
Despite criticism from both Democrats and Republicans, Porter retains supporters. She cited backing from groups such as the Teamsters and U.S. Rep. Dave Min, who holds Porter’s former Orange County seat.
“Many of the groups that support me, like the Teamsters, have said they’re proud to stand with me because they know I’ll fight for California and show strength of character in this moment,” Porter said.
Teamsters California Co-Chairs Peter Finn and Chris Griswold added, “In this critical moment, we need strong leaders like Katie Porter who are willing to call it like it is and stand up for everyday Californians.”
The governor’s race remains fluid, with potential candidates including U.S. Senator Alex Padilla and billionaire developer Rick Caruso, both of whom have yet to formally declare. The deadline to enter the race is March 6.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.