Overview
- Katie Porter, pressed on her conduct at CNN’s California governor debate Tuesday, twice cut off Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and said “cowboy up, cupcake.”
- Her campaign’s new spot this week nods to the 2025 staffer outburst with the line “Now, could you guys please get out of my shot?” and it drew heavy mockery online.
- Coverage split along familiar lines, with right-leaning outlets blasting her ad and debate style and ABC News and Mediaite highlighting defenses that cite a gender double standard.
- Recent polling cited in reports shows her trailing the leaders, including an Evitarius survey with Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton at 18% each and Porter at 8%.
- Porter remains the only prominent woman in the race with backing from EMILYs List and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, and experts note temperament looms large for a governor who must work with the legislature.