Katie porter approval rating: doing now,still a representative,Elias,big blunders

Katie Porter is one of the most recognizable progressive Democrats in recent American politics. Known for her sharp questioning of corporate executives, viral whiteboard moments during congressional hearings, and fierce advocacy for consumer protection, she became a standout voice for accountability and fairness.

However, since leaving Congress, questions about her popularity, approval ratings, and political future have grown louder. How is she viewed by voters today? Is she still a representative? What missteps have shaped her image, and what lies ahead in her political journey?

This article explores all these questions — examining her approval rating, current activities, controversies, and her future prospects as a potential governor of California.

1. Is Katie Porter Still a U.S. Representative?

Katie Porter first entered Congress in 2019, representing California’s 45th Congressional District after defeating Republican incumbent Mimi Walters. After redistricting, she later represented the 47th District.

Her tenure in the U.S. House lasted from January 2019 until January 2025. She did not seek reelection to her House seat in 2024; instead, she ran for the U.S. Senate seat that had been held by the late Senator Dianne Feinstein. Porter lost in the Democratic primary to Adam Schiff.

As of 2025, she is no longer serving as a U.S. Representative. Following her departure from Congress, Porter announced she would return to teaching law at the University of California, Irvine, where she previously served as a law professor before entering politics.

Additionally, she has announced her intention to run for Governor of California in 2026, officially setting her sights on statewide executive leadership.

2. Katie Porter’s Approval Rating and Public Favorability

While approval ratings are typically tracked for sitting officials such as presidents and governors, public polling data still gives a clear picture of Katie Porter’s standing among California voters.

Favorability Numbers

Recent polls among likely California voters show that Porter’s favorability sits around 25–30% positive, while 30–35% view her unfavorably, with a large share — more than one-third — saying they are either neutral or do not know enough about her.

This means her public recognition is high, but her approval is mixed. Among Democrats, her approval remains strong, particularly among progressives, younger voters, and women. However, she faces more skepticism among moderates and independents.

Polling in the Governor’s Race

In early polling for the 2026 California gubernatorial race, Porter received around 18% support among Democratic voters, placing her near the top of a crowded field. However, over a third of voters were still undecided, indicating room for movement.

These figures suggest that Porter begins with a respectable base but must work to expand her coalition to secure broader statewide appeal.

3. What Is Katie Porter Doing Now?

Since leaving Congress, Katie Porter has rebalanced her career around three main focuses: academia, activism, and campaign preparation.

• Teaching: She is returning to the classroom at UC Irvine School of Law, teaching bankruptcy, consumer law, and financial regulation — areas where she has academic and professional expertise.

• Political Planning: She has officially entered the race for Governor of California, focusing her campaign on reducing living costs, tackling the housing crisis, protecting reproductive rights, defending LGBTQ rights, and curbing corporate influence in politics.

• Public Engagement: Porter remains active on social media and in community forums, emphasizing grassroots outreach and mobilization of new voters.

Her strategy appears to blend her academic background and progressive credentials into a broader leadership vision for California’s future.

4. Her Political Journey and Key Associations

Katie Porter’s political career began with her groundbreaking 2018 victory in Orange County — historically a conservative region. That win signaled the growing strength of progressive Democrats in suburban America.

Throughout her time in Congress, Porter became nationally known for viral moments during hearings where she grilled CEOs from major industries — from Wall Street banks to oil companies and pharmaceutical firms — often using a whiteboard to visualize the math behind corporate profits.

Porter studied under Elizabeth Warren at Harvard Law School, and Warren’s influence is visible in Porter’s focus on consumer protection and financial fairness. Both share a belief in holding powerful corporations accountable and empowering everyday Americans.

In 2024, Porter made a bold — but ultimately costly — decision to run for the U.S. Senate instead of defending her House seat. That race was dominated by Adam Schiff, who out-funded and out-polled her. Her loss left her without elected office but still with national name recognition.

Now, she hopes to re-enter public service by winning California’s governorship in 2026.

5. Major Blunders and Controversies

Every politician faces mistakes and scrutiny, and Katie Porter is no exception. Several controversies have dented her once-clean progressive image and may explain her relatively modest approval numbers.

A. “Rigged Election” Remarks

After her loss in the 2024 Senate primary, Porter claimed that “billionaires and dark money rigged the system.” The remark sparked heavy backlash — even from fellow Democrats — who felt her rhetoric echoed unfounded election fraud claims from the far right.

Though she later clarified that she meant the system was “skewed by big money,” the incident damaged her credibility among moderates and made her appear unwilling to accept electoral defeat gracefully.

B. Staff Relations and Workplace Temperament

Several former staffers have accused Porter of creating a tense and demanding work environment. Reports have surfaced describing her as harsh toward subordinates and prone to angry outbursts.

One widely circulated video showed her snapping at a staffer during a virtual meeting. Though not career-ending, such incidents complicate her image as a “fighter for fairness” and could raise doubts about her ability to manage a large executive team as governor.

C. Overreliance on Progressive Brand Politics

Porter’s whiteboard performances made her a progressive star, but critics argue that she has sometimes prioritized viral moments over policy depth. Some say her sharp questioning style can come off as combative rather than constructive, limiting her crossover appeal to moderates and independents.

D. Strategic Misstep: Giving Up Her House Seat

Porter’s decision not to seek reelection in 2024 left her without a political base. Her Senate loss not only removed her from office but also forced her to rebuild from scratch. Analysts consider this a significant strategic blunder, especially since she could