California gubernatorial candidate Katie Porter faced criticism after a testy interview with CBS News reporter Julie Watts over her stance on winning Republican voters in the state’s largest blue state. Porter appeared baffled by the question and grew increasingly frustrated as the conversation continued. Her rivals seized on her response, calling it “unnecessarily argumentative” and questioning her temperament for governor.
Porter had been seeking to consolidate support among Democrats after Kamala Harris announced she would not run for governor, but the interview raised concerns about her ability to connect with voters outside her base. The exchange has drawn attention from party strategists, who often prefer a Republican opponent in the general election.
Despite Porter’s record of persuading conservative voters to help her win her Orange county congressional seat, her response on redistricting has sparked debate within the Democratic camp. As the gubernatorial race continues to be stagnant, Porter’s performance in the interview will likely be scrutinized by voters and party leaders alike.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/oct/08/katie-porter-cbs-interview