Katie Porter’s Temper: What the New Video Reveals
- Video shows a harsh incident that conflicts with Porter’s public image.
- Her response and follow-up statements raise questions about character and leadership.
- Pattern of confrontational behavior suggests a problem for voters who value respect.
The newly surfaced video paints a very different picture of California gubernatorial candidate Katie Porter than the soft-left narrative you often see in the press. In July 2021, during an online exchange with Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, Porter erupts at a masked staffer who appears in the background. The clip is unvarnished and raw, and it makes a glaring point about temperament under pressure.
Instead of calm correction or a private nudge, Porter lashes out with full force when the staffer tries to set the record straight about electric vehicles. She shouted, “Get out of my f*cking shot!” at the employee. Footage then shows Porter pounding the table and snarling, “You also were in my shot before that. Stay out of my shot.”
That kind of language from someone running for governor is alarming to anyone who thinks leadership requires respect, not rage. Porter’s public reaction conflicts with the humble, pro-worker image liberal outlets like to project. For independent and conservative voters watching their tone and respect for staff, this is a vivid warning sign.
In the wake of the video, Porter gave a statement to Politico that many will read as a classic political dodge rather than a real apology. She told the outlet, “It’s no secret I hold myself and my staff to a high standard, and that was especially true as a member of Congress.” Then she added, “I have sought to be more intentional in showing gratitude to my staff for their important work.” The words ring hollow when set against video of her erupting at a subordinate.
This episode looks less like a one-off and more like part of a pattern of abrasive behavior that voters should weigh. A day before the clip resurfaced, Porter bristled during an interview with Julie Watts when asked if she would need Trump voters to win, replying with dismissive confidence. Her line, “How would I need [Trump voters] in order to win?” followed by, “If it is me versus a Republican, I think that I will win the people who did not vote for Trump,” reads as contempt for a big slice of the electorate.
Contempt for voters plus open mistreatment of staff adds up to a portrait of someone who may mistake position for immunity. The article includes past allegations about Porter’s personal conduct, like claims she “poured scalding hot mash potatoes on her ex-husband’s head,” which amplify concerns about temperament. There are also reported threats in text messages, such as, “I am a United States Congress woman. You can lecture me on professionalism. And see what happens.”
Voters who care about decency, accountability, and plain respect should consider whether this is the tone they want from a governor. Leadership is tested in heat and in small moments with staff, not just onstage soundbites. This footage offers a clear, direct moment for Californians to judge character before casting a ballot.
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