Porter suggests potential gubernatorial bid in California – Washington Examiner
Rep. Katie Porter, a Democrat from California, has hinted at a potential run for the governorship in 2026, as indicated by a recent social media post. Although she has not formally declared her candidacy, polls suggest she could be a leading candidate, with 14% of voters supporting her in a crowded field. Porter stated that she has consistently challenged special interests in Congress and believes California needs fresh voices to address critical issues such as the cost of living. Currently, Porter will be leaving Congress in January, and this potential run could mark her next step in public service. The poll shows Republican state Senator Brian Dahle in second place with 5.3%, while other declared candidates, including former state Assembly speaker Antonio Villaraigosa and California Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, received 7.6% and 4.5% support, respectively.
Rep. Katie Porter hints she may run for California governor in 2026
Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA) sold herself in a social media post as the next governor of California, doing everything but declaring for the position.
Recent polling has suggested Porter would be a front-runner for the position, and her post indicated she may have interest, though she has not declared her candidacy.
“In Congress, I’ve stood up to special interests and shown that government can deliver for families by doing things differently,” Porter said in response to a poll showing she’s the top choice of voters for the position. “I’m grateful that Californians recognize we need fresh voices in our politics who are not afraid to call out nonsense, from Republicans or Democrats.”
“Our next Governor needs to be laser focused on solving Californians’ biggest challenges, most of all cost of living,” she added.
Porter will leave Congress in January and could be looking at the governorship as her next shot at being an elected official. In the poll she cited on X, 14% of voters picked her among a field of 13 candidates.
Republican state Sen. Brian Dahle, who ran for governor against incumbent Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) in 2022, finished second with 5.3% of the vote.
Among those who have declared, Antonio Villaraigosa, a former state Assembly speaker, led with 7.6% of the vote in front of a host of declared Democrats. Democratic California Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis has also declared and received 4.5% support in the poll.
Porter ran for Senate in the state this year but failed to advance to the general election, finishing third in the nonpartisan primary. She later claimed the primary was “rigged by billionaires.” Democrats criticized Porter heavily for her remarks, which sounded similar to past rhetoric used by former President Donald Trump. The former president used the word “rigged” to describe the 2020 presidential election.
“It’s not rigged,” Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) told Politico. “As the former secretary of state of California, I can assure you of the integrity of the elections and the results.”
Porter first rose to national prominence for her questioning of Wells Fargo executive Tim Sloan on various problems that had plagued the bank in 2019. Armed with a poster with a quote from the bank’s response to a federal lawsuit, Porter’s questioning went viral on social media. The then-freshman was reelected twice in an Orange County swing district in 2020 and 2022.
Now, having declined to run for reelection in her district because of her failed Senate run, Porter is politically homeless. But her interest lately has pointed toward the top office in the state: governor.
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