SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — With major shakeups to the California gubernatorial race, Katie Porter made her case to San Diego voters on Wednesday.
Porter, a former member of congress and educator, is among top democrats polling in the June Primary Election. In the House, Porter was known for using a whiteboard to question CEOs and other officials. Wednesday’s town hall was part of Porter’s statewide “Whiteboard Warriors Tour.”
“This race is about what comes next for California,” Porter said. “We have some incredible opportunities before us but also challenges. Now the most obvious challenge, the most ugly challenge is what Donald Trump is throwing at us.”
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While many democrats have criticized Trump on the campaign trail, Porter said California’s governor must also address the problems facing California that predated him. Porter shared her priority as governor is to make the state more affordable.
“My whole career has been about affordability,” Porter said. “You may have discovered this is the new favorite word of democratic politicians and republican politicians—to which I say good. This has been my life’s work.”
Being a single mother to three children, Porter shared she wants to make California a better state for them and other families to live in.
“When you hear people talk about kitchen table economic issues, it’s my kitchen table,” Porter added.
If elected, Porter said she’d represent all Californians, regardless of political party, class or citizenship status.
“A governor shouldn’t work for corporations, a governor should work for Californians,” Porter said. “And when I say Californians, I mean everyone.”
Recent polling places billionaire turned democratic activist Tom Steyer and Republican Steve Hilton as frontrunners. However, support may change following former frontrunner Eric Swalwell dropping out of the race after allegations of sexual assault and misconduct.
Porter said Swalwell’s departure from the election will change the field and is an opportunity to reengage with voters. Despite this, Porter said her core values have not changed throughout the race.
Early in the campaign, Porter was a leading frontrunner among democrats until a viral video resurfaced showing her curse at one of her staff members. This coincided with another video where Porter tried to end an interview with a reporter early after being asked about winning Trump supporter votes.
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When asked about these videos, Porter said the way she responded reveals what kind of candidate she is.
“I took responsibility for those videos, and that’s important,” Porter said. “And it’s a pretty big contrast to how Eric Swalwell has handled his situation, continuing to deny. So, I know those weren’t my best moments; I’ve said that consistently.”
She added that she apologized to that staffer and continued to work with her after the incident.
“You’re going to face a lot of challenges as governor, and you’re going to want someone who has humility to say they were wrong and the grit to make sure they hold themselves to a better standard,” Porter said.
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