Katie Porter Joins Crowded 2026 California Governor Race, Aims to Counter Trump and Corporate Interests

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Updated Mar 12, 2025, 08:50 AM

Former Democratic U.S. Representative Katie Porter has officially entered the race for California governor in the 2026 election, aiming to succeed the term-limited Governor Gavin Newsom. Porter, who gained national recognition for her confrontational style during congressional hearings, often using a whiteboard, announced her candidacy with a focus on standing up to President Donald Trump and protecting Californians from his policies. Porter's campaign emphasizes her commitment to progressive values, including protecting abortion rights, LGBTQ rights, and immigrant communities. She vows to challenge corporate interests, specifically targeting big banks, Big Pharma, and Big Oil, which she accuses of exploiting people. Porter, who served three terms in Congress, returned to teaching at UC Irvine School of Law after her unsuccessful Senate bid. The race for California governor is already crowded with several prominent Democrats, including Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and former state Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins. On the Republican side, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco has also announced his candidacy. The potential candidacy of former Vice President Kamala Harris looms over the race. If Harris decides to run, it could significantly alter the dynamics, potentially causing other candidates, including Porter, to reconsider their campaigns. Harris is expected to make her decision by the end of the summer. Porter's entry into the race comes at a time when California has been at odds with the Trump administration over issues like disaster relief following the January fires.

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