As questions of temperament persist, Katie Porter tries to regain edge in governor's race

"Her brusque approach, prosecutorial instincts and suburban mom appeal fueled Porter's rise during her three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, where she rattled CEOs and Trump administration leaders and batted away GOP challengers in a competitive Orange County district."

"The same rough edges that endeared Porter to many voters have also alienated some Democratic insiders and interest groups whose support could prove critical in the race to replace outgoing Gov. Gavin Newsom."

""She came in [to the governor's race] as an outsider, as a mom, as a fighter. She wasn't pulled into the establishment," said Lorena Gonzalez, president of the California Federation of Labor Unions. "I think that's why she's popular with voters, because they want somebody who's going to fight, and sometimes that ruffles feathers.""

"In the campaign for governor, Porter, a single mother of three, has struggled to convert grassroots popularity into broader institutional support. Even after former Rep. Eric Swalwell dropped out of the race amid allegations of sexual assault, she has yet to see a major surge in support or endorsements from Democratic power brokers. A pair of embarrassing videos continue to hang over her campaign."

Katie Porter’s blunt, combative approach helped her rise in Congress, where she challenged CEOs and Trump administration leaders and defended herself against GOP challengers in a competitive Orange County district. Her style also created friction within her own party, including clashes with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Rep. Maxine Waters. Some Democratic insiders and interest groups view her rough edges as a liability, even as many voters respond to her outsider identity, suburban mom appeal, and willingness to fight. In the governor race, Porter has struggled to translate grassroots popularity into broader endorsements and support from Democratic power brokers. Videos showing her yelling at staff and threatening to walk out of an interview continue to affect her campaign, and her polling has not surged after Eric Swalwell’s exit.

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