Former Orange County Rep. Katie Porter announced Tuesday morning that she is running for governor, potentially altering the dynamic in an already crowded field of prominent Democrats seeking to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom next year because of her national profile and fundraising prowess.
Highlighting a theme expected to be dominant in next year’s gubernatorial contest, Porter expressed her desire to protect California from President Trump’s policies, including his threats to hold up disaster relief, attacks on the rights of state residents and cheating “working families to benefit himself and his cronies.”
“With Trump in the White House, California needs a fighter, a governor who’s going to stand up to him and protect us from the damage he is doing every single day,” Porter said in an interview.
The looming question over California’s 2026 race for governor is whether former vice president and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris jumps in the race. Her decision is expected by the end of the summer. Given Harris’ name recognition and fundraising prowess, she would probably prompt some Democrats to drop out of the race.
Describing herself as “a big supporter” of Harris, Porter did not say she would definitely drop out of the race if the former vice president decides to run.
“If she chooses to run, everyone including me would need to make a decision,” Porter said. “I would have to seriously contemplate what that means for me.” More here