California Governor Candidate Katie Porter Caught on Camera Losing Her Cool and Yelling at Staffer to Move
Katie Porter, the leading Democratic candidate for California governor in 2026, has once again been filmed in a moment of frustration, this time shouting at a staffer to "get out of my f***ing shot." But here's where it gets controversial—this isn’t the first time Porter has shown this side, and it raises questions about her temperament under pressure.
A newly surfaced video obtained by POLITICO reveals a tense exchange from July 2021, back when Porter was still serving as a member of Congress. During a recorded conversation with former Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, the staffer stepped into the camera frame to correct one of Porter’s statements about electric vehicles. Instead of receiving the fact-check calmly, Porter snapped, loudly telling the staffer, "You also were in my shot before that," and demanding she "stay out of my shot."
The subtle but significant detail here is that the official, edited version of this event, later released by the Department of Energy, completely omitted this confrontation. This omission begs the question: why are such moments brushed aside in the final cuts? Is the public being shielded from a side of Porter that might affect her gubernatorial campaign?
Adding fuel to the fire, another recent video surfaced showing Porter getting exasperated during an interview with CBS News investigative reporter Julie Watts. In this clip, Porter appeared so frustrated by the questioning that she threatened to walk out of the interview altogether. This recurring frustration pattern might hint at challenges she could face in handling the intense scrutiny and pressure of a statewide campaign.
In response to the resurgent 2021 video, Porter defended herself by saying, "It’s no secret I hold myself and my staff to a high standard, and that was especially true as a member of Congress. I have sought to be more intentional in showing gratitude to my staff for their important work." Yet, this statement leaves open the debate about how that high standard impacts her interactions – is it firmness or intimidation?
This story raises important questions for voters: Should moments of visible frustration and harshness toward staffers be a red flag for a candidate? Does the way a politician manages their team behind the scenes truly reflect how they will govern? Or is this just normal pressure that anyone in a high-stakes role faces? We’d love to hear your thoughts on this—do you think Katie Porter’s outbursts are a concern or simply a human reaction to stress? Drop your opinions in the comments below and join the conversation.
