Former Congresswoman Katie Porter Announces Run For Governor

Former Orange County Congresswoman Katie Porter announced on Tuesday that she is running for Governor in 2026, joining an already crowded race of experienced Californian lawmakers and officials.

In her announcement, Porter cited several reasons for running next year. This included wanting to not “back down” to the Trump administration, protecting LBGT and abortion rights, protecting immigrant communities, and wanting to combat high costs like housing and healthcare.

“Californians hear a lot of excuses from elected officials. What a bunch of bullsh**,” said Porter in her announcement video on Tuesday. “What we need is new ideas. A willingness to take on dangerous leaders and their corrupt enablers. The courage to lead in this moment. It’s going to take all of that to solve the challenges that we face right now. A rapidly changing economy. A dangerously changing climate. Costs that are out of control. Housing and Healthcare out of reach for millions. And fundamental rights in jeopardy.

“What California needs now is a little bit of hope and a whole lot of grit. Fresh blood and new ideas. And leaders with the backbone to fight for what’s right. That’s why I’m running for Governor.

“I first ran for office to hold Trump accountable. I feel that same call now to stop him from hurting Californians. In Congress, I held the Trump administration’s feet to the fire when they hurt Americans. As governor, I won’t ever back down when Trump hurts Californians. Whether it’s holding up disaster relief, attacking our rights or our communities, or screwing over working families to benefit himself and his cronies.

“We don’t have to choose between defending our values and attacking our challenges. Working with businesses and protecting workers. To create good jobs and a thriving economy. Keeping individuals safe and upholding individuals’ rights. As Governor, I’ll bring all voices to the table to hear good ideas no matter who they come from or what else we may agree or disagree on. I’ll work with anybody and I’ll say “no” to anybody, because I’ve never been for sale and I never will be. That’s how I got billions back from drug companies that ripped patients off and cracked down on health insurance companies that wrongfully deny care. And it’s damn sure how I’ll make sure California protects abortion rights, LGBT rights, and our immigrant communities.

“I’ve only ever been motivated by one thing: Making Californians lives better. And I’ll go toe-to-toe with anyone who tries to hurt Californians. Because that’s what it means to have the courage to solve our toughest problems. To build on our progress. To fight for you. That’s the leadership that California deserves.”

For Porter, her announcement on Tuesday marks the next major attempt in her roller coaster of a political career. A Harvard and Yale graduate, Porter began her career as a law professor, teaching at the University of Nevada – Las Vegas, the University of Iowa and, in 2011, moved to Irvine to teach at UC Irvine. Over the next several years she received several state appointments while also being a professor, including being chosen as a monitor of banks by then Attorney General Kamala Harris. Porter then ran for Congress in 2018.

She won, and was reelected twice, serving six years in total. While in Washington, she became notorious for using whiteboards during meetings and for her outlandish behavior in attempting to make a point. In 2023, Porter decided that she would run for Senate next following the retirement and later death of Senator Dianne Feinstein. Porter was widely expected to be the main candidate running against then-Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA) in the California U.S. Senate race. She was so confident that she actually dropped out of her Congressional race to focus on her Senate run. However, an out of left field run by former baseball star Steve Garvey led to her placing a distant third in the primary. The humiliating loss, compounded by Porter going on a rant about the election being “rigged“, swiftly lost her credibility. With her House term now expiring, speculation grew as to what she would do next, ranging from going back to being a Professor to running for another office like the state Assembly to possibly putting her name in for a Harris administration cabinet post.

However, signs pointed to her focusing on a gubernatorial run. She kept her PAC alive and gubernatorial polls showed her either winning or, when Harris was listed as a candidate, coming in second. This led to her announcement on Tuesday. While supporters praised her announcement, others opposing her noted the condescending tone of the video announcement, her swearing in her official announcement, as well as her not even mentioning the number one issue for many Californians – crime.

All eyes on Harris

Porter now joins other high-profile Democratic candidates in the race, including Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis,  State Superintendent Tony Thurmond, Senator Toni Atkins (D-San Diego), Former State Controller Betty Yee, and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Many Republicans, including Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, are also running. In addition, there are many speculative candidates. State Senator and 2022 Gubernatorial candidate Brian Dahle (R-Bieber), former Olympian and 2021 Gubernatorial candidate Caitlyn Jenner, Fox New Host and former advisor to UK Prime Minister David Cameron Steve Hilton, Actor Mel Gibson, and Special Presidential Envoy and former Ambassador to Germany Ric Grenell are all either currently mulling possible runs or have been seen as potential candidates for the GOP.

But the biggest name that could potentially challenge Porter is Kamala Harris. Previously, Porter stated that she wouldn’t run for Governor if Harris ran, but as of Tuesday, Harris is still considering a run and likely won’t announce one way or another until the Summer. Some Democratic candidates have said that they would drop out in the event of a Harris run, while some Republicans, like Grenell, have stated that they would only run if Harris enters.

Nonetheless, the entrance of Porter in the race has changed up the race yet again, with the well known Porter now becoming the new Democratic favorite amongst all declared candidates.

“Porter is now, based on polling, the top Democratic candidate in the race,” said gubernatorial pollster Guillermo Williams to the Globe on Tuesday. “That Senate loss crushed her, especially because everyone told her that she would at least make it to November, not be ousted in the primary. And then she didn’t stay in the House, which she probably would have wanted to considering that she really likes challenging Trump. She doesn’t want to challenge Dave Min, who took over her House seat, in a House race, so Governor it is.

“All eyes are now on Harris, as her going in can shake things up again. And then GOP candidates. They’ll need some big names coming too. And you can probably bet on them not swearing in their official announcements.”