Katie Porter is stepping away from the political scene after a challenging gubernatorial campaign in California that ended in disappointment, bringing back criticism of how she’s treated officials.
The former congressman revealed on Instagram that he’s taking a break from politics, stating, “I’m done with politics and campaigning for now.”
Following his loss in the primary, Porter also mentioned plans to rebrand his Instagram account, now focusing on literature, reflecting his passion for reading.
This marks a turbulent conclusion to a Democratic campaign that has faced scrutiny over Porter’s temperament and management style.
In California’s primary, Porter garnered around 403,908 votes, about 4.4%, placing fifth in a competitive field. Under the state’s primary rules, only the top two candidates advance, which means he won’t be on the ballot in November despite 61 candidates running.
As his campaign faltered, a past video resurfaced showing Porter reprimanding a staffer who accidentally appeared during a virtual meeting, where he shouted, “Stay away from my shot!” This incident went viral and brought renewed attention to his treatment of those around him. Porter has since expressed regret about his outburst, addressing it both publicly and during debates.
Another incident involved him becoming visibly upset during an interview with a CBS Sacramento reporter, even threatening to cut the interview short due to dissatisfaction with the direction it was going. Such moments have only intensified the concerns surrounding Porter’s conduct during his time in office.
Records indicate he has had one of the highest turnover rates among House members, and leaked messages have shown him being particularly harsh with colleagues over COVID-19 exposure concerns.
Having represented California in Congress from 2019 to 2025, Porter also remains a law professor at the University of California, Irvine, a position he started in 2011.
It’s unclear if this political hiatus will be permanent. Yet, after a failed campaign and several controversies, Porter has opted to pause his political endeavors for now.
