Calls for Katie Porter to Drop out of Senate Race have Begun

Some are calling for her to act on those words, by dropping out and endorsing Rep. Barbara Lee.

Congresswoman Katie Porter, known for her gift of gab and white board, appears to have painted herself into a corner. In an NBC4 interview Porter, a candidate for Feinstein’s U.S. Senate seat, said that Governor Gavin Newsom should keep his promise to choose a black woman to take the seat, while simultaneously running for the position.

“The Governor has made that commitment publicly to the people of California, and I think elected officials should keep their promises,” Porter said.

She stated, “I think there's a reality that we need more diversity of voices in our Congress, we need more people with different kinds of experiences and that means we do need more black people in the Senate, we need more black women in particular.”

Given this statement, Porter’s endorsement that a black woman should be chosen effectively disqualifies herself from the running.

However, Porter has not withdrawn herself from the race and is not to be deterred. The interview revealed that although not fitting the profile of the replacement of choice, she believes her record makes her ideal.

“I have a track record for fighting for the very kinds of issues that make a difference in the lives of Black Americans and Black communities,” Porter stated. “Black Americans do not get people helping them with issues like healthcare, with housing, with being cheated by scam artists, and those are some of the fights I’ve taken on.”

Now some are beginning to call for her to put action behind her words and drop out of the race to endorse Barbara Lee.

“Katie Porter should step aside and throw her support behind Barbara Lee.” Sal Rodriquez wrote in the Orange County Register.”When she develops an actual record of accomplishment as a member of Congress, she can revisit a run for the race.”

Porter first got elected to Congress in 2018 and then again re-elected in 2020 and 2022. She announced a bid for U.S. Senate before Feinstein announced she would not be running for reelection.

Susannah Luthi of The Washington Free Beacon commented, “If the 49-year-old Porter wins in 2024, she could block a black woman from holding state-wide office for years to come.”

“She also advocated for herself in the 2024 race, even though that would mean displacing the hypothetical black woman she was advocating.” Breaking News Reporter Brady Knox of the Washington Examiner noted.

Tweeters are getting in on a Porter departure as well. “But what if Katie Porter drops out and endorses Barbra Lee. Then after one term Lee can endorse Porter,” Sam Kaplan Pettus wrote. Ghost of AO tweeted “I wonder if Porter tries to get out in time to run for her house seat again if things don't look good or if she rides to the end.”