Stop the presses! Former Rep. and California gubernatorial candidate Katie Porter (D) has announced she is taking a break from politics. That sucking sound you hear is the nation releasing a collective yawn.
Katie Porter is turning the page on politics after a bruising California governor campaign that ended in defeat and revived years of criticism over her treatment of staff.
The former California congresswoman announced Wednesday that she’s stepping away from public life, telling followers on Instagram: “I’m done for now with politics and campaigning.”
Porter, who failed to advance out of California’s recent gubernatorial primary, also revealed she’s rebranding her Instagram account as @katieporterturnsthepage, a nod to her love of books.
When Porter was a congressperson, this was an indication of her love of the written word as well as her terrible presence as a representative.
Katie Porter doing some light reading “The subtle art of not giving a fuck” during ballot #SpeakerVotes pic.twitter.com/DEaaHNHAgH
— IT’S TIME FOR JUSTICE (@LiddleSavages) January 7, 2023
Porter filmed this Insta reel to make her announcement.
WATCH:
The announcement caps a turbulent final chapter for the Democrat, whose gubernatorial campaign was increasingly overshadowed by renewed scrutiny of her temperament and management style.
Porter finished fifth in California’s crowded top-two primary, receiving 403,908 votes, or 4.4% of the vote, according to unofficial California Secretary of State returns.
Look up the word "turbulent" in the dictionary, and Porter's picture is next to it. Lest we forget, Porter's chances at the governorship immediately cratered when former Congressman Eric Swalwell (CA-14) decided to enter the governor's race, and she was pissed off. We all know his saga, but the fact that a rapey-sex pest was a more popular choice than this volatile Karen speaks volumes. It's the Clinton effect: People would rather put governance in the hands of a man with questionable sexual morals (Bill) than a haridan (Hillary). Kind of speaks volumes about Democrat voters, frankly.
Also of note: In 2024, Porter chose to forsake her congressional district to run for Senator Dianne Feinstein's (D) seat. Mind you, this was before Feinstein had officially expired, but Porter bigfooted her way into that race anyway. She never made it past that 2024 primary either, coming in third.
Read More: Katie Porter’s Raging Karen Yelp Meltdowns Are Exactly What You’d Expect: ‘Horrible Experience’
Katie Porter Tries to Change Her Image With New Ad and Interviews - but It Goes South
Porter's acid tongue and acerbic delivery weren't just reserved for staff members who got in her Zoom shot or investigative reporters who asked questions: As my colleague Rusty Weiss reported, Porter's Yelp! reviews also loom large in her legend.
Her short fuse has become a recurring theme. Former colleagues and even some Democrats privately describe her as notoriously difficult to work for and prone to explosive tantrums over minor issues.
Other than that, she seems like she'd be fun at parties.
So, a quieter, behind-the-scenes pursuit of reading and discussing books may be just the image makeover Porter needs. The forward-facing, people-centric work of politics is just not her suit, and it's a shame it's taken her this long to realize it.
Next up: Porter needs to give up that government-subsidized University of California, Irvine housing that she occupies, as Californians are really tired of funding her grift.
Editor’s Note: The 2026 Midterms will determine the fate of President Trump’s America First agenda. Republicans must maintain control of both chambers of Congress.
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