SF Chronicle opinion piece: How Katie Porter's viral meltdown is resetting the California governor's race

[GJGCA]

FTA: Now that the dust has started to settle following Rep. Katie Porter’s viral video clash with a reporter over a softball question and the resurfacing of a second clip showing Porter berating a staffer in 2021, it’s clear that the complexion of the 2026 race for governor in California has changed — maybe dramatically.

The piece name checks current/possible opponents:

Sen. Alex Padilla

Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa

Former Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra

And adds:

Billionaire investor Tom Steyer has been funding the Prop 50 effort to the tune of $12 million, and seems to be leaning toward a late entry to the race. He’s even run an ad during Game 2 of the Los Angeles Dodgers-Milwaukee Brewers National League Championship Series.




https://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/openforum/article/katie-porter-governor-election-21102558.php

[awesomerwb1]

1. Padilla? He's a Senator

and his term doesn't end until 2029 I believe. Why risk that seat (I know it's California, but nothing is safe these days).

[GJGCA]

3. Point taken but...

E.g.:
Why California's political class is begging Alex Padilla to run for governor

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/09/08/california-insiders-alex-padilla-run-governor-00545818

From a week or so ago.

On edit: errf a month ago, sorry...

[Fiendish Thingy]

5. Padilla voted yes on the crypto bill

The tech bros know whose side he’s on.

[Bettie]

2. Ah, it makes sense now

two men want to to enter the race, so she must be destroyed.

Can't have a woman in charge. Nope.

[Fiendish Thingy]

4. Tech bros strike again!

They are terrified of Porter winning, and so have leapt at this opportunity.

I don’t doubt for a second that this op-ed was encouraged, if not planted, by the tech bros.

[GJGCA]

6. More concerning Padilla--CalMatters.org

However, Porter, who lost a U.S. Senate bid last year, has just 17% in the latest polling, with rivals mired in single-digits. Meanwhile, political oddsmakers wait for two other potentials, U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla and Los Angeles businessman Rick Caruso, to declare their intentions.

...

It might persuade Padilla, who acknowledges that he is weighing a bid for governor, that it’s a campaign he could win. Ditto for Caruso if he also believes that Porter’s self-inflicted wounds are fatal, as they may be.

https://calmatters.org/commentary/2025/10/katie-porter-california-governor-bid/

From https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/04/magazine/alex-padilla-interview.html

[Quoting Padilla:] I see how some people could find the position of governor of California as attractive in advancing a lot of those same issues.

I’m just trying to think through: Where can I be most impactful? Not just short-term, but midterm and long-term. Is it from here? Is it from there? Or do I have a role to play in shifting how Democrats look at some of the issues, including but not limited to immigration, or look to some of the diversity that’s out there, including but not limited to the Latino community, as a way of continuing to build strong political momentum for a better future for our country?

[dobleremolque]

7. Another Howard Dean "AAAAAAArggghhh!" moment. n/t

[W_HAMILTON]

8. Sure seems that way to me too. They hold Democrats to a different standard.

[mvd]

9. This sounds like a smear campaign

Katie always has been against the fascist oligarchy. I’ll support her