It’s not the lighting that’s dimming Katie Porter’s campaign — it’s her temper.
California gubernatorial candidate Katie Porter is dodging questions about whether more videos exist showing her berating staffers after several viral clips exposed the Democrat’s fiery outbursts behind closed doors.
During an interview with Inside California Politics host Nikki Laurenzo, Porter repeatedly refused to say if additional footage exists, choosing instead to downplay the incidents and admit she “could have handled things better.”
“I’m going to be honest with you, I know that that video, and that video was several years ago, as you know, and I apologized to that staffer that’s super important to me and will continue to try to hold myself to do better,” Porter said in a notably subdued tone.
“That’s what I can promise.”
Should California voters feel confident that there aren't more controversial Katie Porter videos out there?@katieporteroc responds in an exclusive interview with Inside California Politics host @NikkiLaurenzo. The full interview will be posted later this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/HPPHISTUqt
— Inside California Politics (@CaliforniaICP) October 14, 2025
The comments refer to a 2021 video obtained by Politico showing Porter snapping at a female staffer to “get out of my f–king shot” during a Zoom meeting with Biden administration officials on environmental policy.
Imagine working for “get out of my fucking shot” @katieporteroc. pic.twitter.com/1ArdIrez4a
— Reagan Battalion (@ReaganBattalion) October 9, 2025
Another video from the same year captured her glaring at a staffer after angrily complaining about lighting issues.
Dem CA gubernatorial candidate Katie Porter seen shooting death stares at her staff during a Zoom meeting after they messed up her lighting.
"I need the lights off… the bright lights… I need you to turn these off. These, that are killing me… Not that dark."
I'm convinced… pic.twitter.com/hE6JCwhjli
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) October 9, 2025
The footage resurfaced last week after Porter clashed with CBS reporter Julie Watts in a tense exchange that set off a social media firestorm. When asked about appealing to Trump supporters, Porter accused Watts of being “unnecessarily argumentative.”
California Democrat gubernatorial candidate Katie Porter has a massive freak out at local CBS News reporter during a recent interview
Not a good sign to see a “leader” get this rattled by a simple question all the candidates are being asked pic.twitter.com/ys250oYtee
— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) October 8, 2025
Porter, 51, is running to replace outgoing Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom in the November election. But with every new video, her campaign message gets drowned out — by the sound of her own temper.