Democratic former Representative Katie Porter, who is running for governor of California, faced scrutiny after a pre-recorded interview with CBS Sacramento affiliate KOVR-TV reporter Julie Watts was released on Monday and quickly gained attention online. Porter, who served in Congress from 2019 to 2025 and is currently leading the polls among candidates for governor, was interviewed as part of a series with eleven contenders ahead of California’s jungle primary scheduled for June 2, 2026.
During the interview, all candidates were asked identical questions. Porter became visibly frustrated when questioned about whether she would need support from the forty percent of Californians who voted for former President Donald Trump in the previous election. In an excerpt from the interview, Porter responded, “How would I need them in order to win? If it is me versus a Republican, I think that I will win the people who did not vote for Trump.” She later threatened to end the interview, saying she did not want to have an “unhappy experience with you and I don’t want this on camera.” Watts tried to reassure her, expressing that she also wanted a positive experience. Despite her frustration, Porter remained and completed the interview.
Porter’s reaction drew further attention due to her history of tense exchanges and personal controversies. Divorce records from 2013 detail allegations by her ex-husband Matthew Hoffman, including claims of verbal abuse and an incident involving scalding hot mashed potatoes being poured on his head during an argument.
Polling data indicates that Porter is currently ahead in a crowded field with no candidate enjoying majority support. An August poll by the University of California, Berkeley and The Los Angeles Times showed Porter with 17 percent support among likely voters, followed by Republican Chad Bianco at 10 percent and other candidates trailing behind. Thirty-eight percent of respondents said they were undecided. A separate poll conducted by Emerson College in September reported similar findings: Porter led with 16 percent support while Republicans Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco had 10 percent and 8 percent respectively; former Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra had 5 percent.
The release of the interview occurred one day after Porter received an endorsement from Emily’s List, a political action committee supporting pro-abortion rights candidates. Following the endorsement, Porter stated: “Grateful to have @emilyslist by my side in this campaign. Now more than ever, we need leaders with backbone who will cut through the BS and deliver for families. And there’s nothing that Donald Trump hates more than facing down a strong, powerful woman.”
CBS Sacramento reporter Julie Watts later posted additional footage from the interview online following its viral spread.
