Former Democratic U.S. House member Katie Porter has officially launched her campaign for California governor in 2026, entering what is expected to be a highly competitive race.
Porter, who gained national attention for her use of a whiteboard during congressional hearings, is positioning herself as a staunch opponent of former President Donald Trump and his policies.
In her campaign announcement, Porter emphasized her record of challenging the Trump administration, stating, “In Congress, I held the Trump administration’s feet to the fire when they hurt Americans. As governor, I won’t ever back down when Trump hurts Californians.” Her platform focuses on disaster relief, immigrant rights, and economic issues that she claims were undermined by Trump’s policies.
Porter joins a growing field of Democratic candidates, including former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis. However, the race could take a dramatic turn if Vice President Kamala Harris decides to run, given her deep ties to California politics.
Katie Porter first entered Congress in 2018, running on a platform of consumer protection and corporate accountability. She gained a reputation for aggressively questioning business leaders and simplifying complex economic issues. After an unsuccessful bid for the U.S. Senate in 2024, she returned to teaching law at the University of California, Irvine.
Her campaign signals a continuation of her progressive approach, with a clear focus on opposing Trump and his influence on national and state policies. Whether this strategy will resonate with California voters in 2026 remains to be seen.
Last month, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco officially declared his candidacy for governor of California, vowing to bring change and common sense back to Sacramento. During his announcement, Bianco criticized Democratic leadership, blaming them for the state’s rising crime, homelessness crisis, high taxes, and soaring cost of living. He pledged to restore accountability and argued that Californians deserve better than the policies that have led to the state’s decline.
