Former congress member Katie Porter is running for governor of California
The field of candidates for California’s 2026 gubernatorial election grew larger Tuesday, with former Democratic U.S. House member Katie Porter entering the race.
Porter previously ran for the U.S. Senate but lost in California’s primary election last year. The seat was won by Sen. Adam Schiff.
Porter represented California’s 47th Congressional District from 2023 through her term ending in January. She also represented the state’s 45th Congressional District from 2019 to 2023.
The 2026 California's governor's race will be held to replace term-limited Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is considered a possible 2028 Democratic presidential contender.
What is Katie Porter's background?
A consumer protection attorney, Porter was described as a “social media celebrity” by the Associated Press for using whiteboards at congressional hearings as a tool often to display figures. She used a white board to break down the cost Americans would face in testing for coronavirus and, through her pressing, got the then Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Robert Redfield to agree that agency will pay for coronavirus testing, CNN reported.
She returned to the University of California, Irvine School of Law as a full-time faculty member this year and has also been on the faculty at the University of Iowa College of Law in her home state, according to UC Irvine.
Self-described as a “minivan-driving single mom,” Porter was born in Fort Dodge, Iowa, and has degrees from Yale and Harvard University, according to her congressional biography.
Who is running for California governor 2026?
Los Angeles Mayor and Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa, Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, former Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins, former state Controller Betty Yee and Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond are among the high-profile Democrats who’ve announced their gubernatorial runs.
But it’s not just Democrats entering the race in the blue state.
Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, a Republican, announced his run for California governor in February.
Others that have announced runs for California governor include hospitality businessman Stephen Cloobeck and Butch Ware, a member of the Green Party.
Is Kamala Harris running for governor of California?
It’s been speculated that former Vice President Kamala Harris will run for California’s next governor. Politico reported on Friday that the former California attorney general will make her decision by the end of the summer.
Paris Barraza is a trending reporter covering California news at The Desert Sun. Reach her at pbarraza@gannett.com.
Contributing: Joey Garrison