Katie Porter’s Gubernatorial Rivals Dunk On Her After Viral Interview: ‘Drop Out’

Katie Porter’s gubernatorial rivals are dunking on the former congresswoman after an interview clip of Porter berating a reporter went viral.

The California Democrat lashed out at CBS reporter Julie Watts when the latter asked her about Trump voters in the Golden State.

“I don’t want to keep doing this. I’m going to call it,” Porter said after Watts pressed her on the issue.

“You’re not going to do the interview?” Watts asked, clearly baffled by Porter’s behavior.

“Nope, not like this I’m not,” Porter declared. “Not with seven follow-ups to every single question you ask.”

Porter, whose ex-husband accused her of domestic abuse, has long been dogged by stories of verbally abusing her staff. Shortly after the interview moment went viral, Politico reported on a released video of Porter telling a staffer to “get out of my f***ing shot” in 2021 while recording a video with Biden Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm.

Exclusive from @melmason on Katie Porter, who berates a staffer and tells her to “get out of my fucking shot!” while recording a video with the Biden administration.

The video + story — scooped by @politico????????https://t.co/WENFsRlkwC pic.twitter.com/47dQ3n6nWJ

— Christopher Cadelago (@ccadelago) October 8, 2025

Candidates from both parties vying alongside Porter to replace outgoing Governor Gavin Newsom have seized on the viral moments to criticize the notoriously mercurial congresswoman.

“We need a leader who will solve hard problems and answer simple questions,” former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said.

Former California Assembly Majority Leader Ian Calderon made multiple posts criticizing Porter, a former congresswoman who ran unsuccessfully for Senate in 2024.

“‘I’m me’ might play in Washington, but not in California. Families here can’t afford housing or groceries — and [Porter] thinks she’s already won. That says it all,” Calderon said.

“Californians are being priced out of their homes — but [Porter] thinks the story is about her. Leadership isn’t entitlement. It’s about fixing what’s broken in this state,” the Democrat continued.

“After watching the interview, it’s clear — Katie Porter doesn’t have the temperament to be Governor. As a candidate, I welcome the hard questions — the next governor must be accessible and transparent,” former California State Controller Betty Yee posted. “No place for temper tantrums. No place for dodging the public’s right to know.”

In another post, Yee called on Porter to exit the race.

“Katie Porter is a weak, self-destructive candidate unfit to lead California. The stakes are simply too high for her to stay in this race. It’s time for her to drop out of this race,” she wrote.

Stephen Cloobeck, former Diamond Resorts International CEO, wrote that “If Katie can’t handle election results or reporters questions, how the heck can she handle California?”

Former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra wrote, “I’m not interested in excluding any vote. Every Californian deserves affordable health care, safe streets, a roof over their head and a living wage.”

Tony Thurmond, who currently serves as the Superintendent of Public Instruction, put out a news release calling on Watts to moderate a debate of the Democratic candidates, including Porter.

On the Republican side, candidates Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco both dunked on the viral clip.

“It’s absolutely amazing this Katie Porter interview, right? For 15 years, Democrats have run this state into the ground,” Hilton said in a video posted to X.

“If entitled Democrats would care this much about solving the homelessness on our streets, the homes still in ashes or the gas prices crushing our families. But no, throw a tantrum on TV because you do not like the question. Katie Porter is just another unhinged Democrat who would complete Gavin Newsom’s destruction of our beautiful state,” Bianco, who’s the Riverside County Sheriff, wrote.

Porter’s campaign did not respond to a request for comment.