Democratic gubernatorial candidate Katie Porter, under fire for recently emerged videos showing her scolding a reporter and swearing at an aide, expressed remorse for her behavior on Tuesday in her first public remarks since the incidents were publicized.
“I want people to know that I really value the incredible work that my staff can do.
Porter’s behavior in the videos underscored long-standing questions about her temperament and high staff turnover while she served in Congress.
The most recent polls showed that Porter held a narrow lead in the competitive race to replace Gov.
After the videos emerged last week, several of Porter’s rivals criticized her behavior, including former state Controller Betty Yee, who said she should drop out of the race.
Democratic candidate for governor Katie Porter, who has been under fire for recently surfaced videos of her berating a reporter and cursing at an aide, apologized for her actions Tuesday in her first public statement since the incidents were made public.
Porter, a leading contender in California’s 2026 gubernatorial race and a former Orange County House member, stated that she “could have handled things better.”. “”.
Just for the record:.
An article that appeared online in October about Katie Porter, the candidate for governor, and her reaction to recently surfaced damaging videos. 14 included a quote from a voter in Santa Ana that was incorrect. He stated, not, “I know that she has issues with training her staff and clearly reporters a certain way,” but rather, “I know that she has issues with treating her staff and clearly reporters a certain way.”. “”.
“I think I’m known as someone who can handle tough questions, who’s willing to answer questions,” Porter said to Nikki Laurenzo, Sacramento’s Fox40 anchor and host of Inside California Politics. “I want people to know how much I appreciate the amazing work that my employees are capable of doing. I believe those who know me are aware of my toughness. I should do a better job of thanking my team for their incredible work, though. “.”.
A video of Porter telling a different television reporter that she doesn’t need the support of the millions of Californians who voted for President Trump surfaced last week. Porter also brusquely threatened to end the interview when the reporter asked follow-up questions. When Porter was videoconferencing with a member of then-President Biden’s Cabinet in 2021, a second video surfaced the next day, showing him saying to a young staffer, “Get out of my f— shot!”.
Porter apologized to the staff member on Tuesday. Several times, she avoided answering Laurenzo’s inquiries about the possibility of additional videos emerging.
“Dot, this is what I can tell you. Porter stated, “I am accepting responsibility for the circumstances.”.
Long-standing concerns about Porter’s temperament and high staff turnover during her time in Congress were emphasized by her actions in the videos.
Porter had a slim lead in the fierce competition to succeed Gov., according to the latest polls. Serving his second and last term is Gavin Newsom. Some of Porter’s competitors criticized her actions after the videos surfaced last week, including former state controller Betty Yee, who suggested she should withdraw from the race.
According to Yee’s argument on Tuesday, Democrats’ attempts to pass Proposition 50, the Nov. In order to increase their party’s representation in the House, a four-ballot measure was proposed to redraw California’s congressional districts.
Yee, a former state Democratic Party vice chair, issued a warning, saying that Democrats might lose the U.S. election and a Republican might win the governor’s race. S. House of Representatives due to Porter’s “attitude.”. “”.
Yee stated in a virtual news conference, “I don’t enjoy picking a fight, and it’s not even a fight.”. “I’m acting in this party’s best interest. “”.
When the progressive California Working Families Party, which is considering endorsing her in the gubernatorial race next year, asked her the first question during a virtual discussion Tuesday night, Porter also addressed the matter.
She reaffirmed her statements from the previous TV interview.
Porter stated, “I completely realize that I could have performed better in those situations.”. “I’m going to hold myself to that standard, to improve, and to own up to my mistakes. “.”.
Approximately 1,000 Californians had sent in RSVPs to watch the show, and watch parties were hosted all over the state. At a Mexican eatery in Anaheim, close to Porter’s former congressional district, about a dozen people sat and watched Porter respond to questions while munching on camarones a la diabla and taquitos.
After that, they appeared more worried about Porter’s policy comments—like her opposition to statewide rent control—than her reaction to the videos.
“I am more worried about what she will do in terms of policy, even though I am aware that she has problems with how she treats her employees and journalists in general. Sebastian, a Santa Ana resident who works in the energy industry and chose not to reveal his last name, asked, “How civil is her policy going to be?”. She may not be a very polite person, but protecting immigrant communities, enforcing rent control, and opposing the current federal administration are far more crucial than anything else. “.”.
29-year-old Jacob Daruvala, who works part-time on the party’s Proposition 50 campaign, expressed gratitude for Porter’s apology.
“I don’t think we can ask for much more,” the Norco resident stated. Because I have happily worked for other politicians who are not so kind to their staff, I want to give her a little leeway. However, I’m usually willing to overlook that when their policies make the world a kinder place overall. “”.
In a statement regarding the 2021 video, Porter said, “It’s no secret I hold myself and my staff to a high standard, and that was especially true as a member of Congress,” prior to her comments on Tuesday. I’ve tried to be more deliberate about thanking my employees for their vital work. “”.
Despite The Times’ repeated requests for an interview, the UC Irvine law professor has not responded.
