Democratic California gubernatorial candidate Katie Porter’s campaign has suffered a sharp decline in support following multiple controversies, including viral footage showing her threatening to walk out of an interview and yelling at her staff.
Porter’s odds of becoming California’s next governor have dropped from 40% to 16% in just days, according to prediction data cited by CNN analyst Harry Enten on Thursday.
During an appearance on CNN’s Laura Coates Live, Enten said Porter’s collapse in the Kalshi prediction markets was “one of the most dramatic declines” he has ever seen.
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“They have been heard around the world and I think that Katie Porter is making history because she has potentially annihilated her chances to be the next governor of California more so than any other candidate I’ve ever seen so quickly, my goodness gracious,” Enten said.
“Just two days ago, she was the plurality leader in the prediction markets at 40%. Now, get this, her chance has fallen by more than half to just 16%, my goodness gracious.”
Enten noted that Porter’s support has dropped so dramatically that she now trails behind Democratic Senator Alex Padilla, who has not officially entered the gubernatorial race.
“Meanwhile Alex Padilla, who’s not even running for governor of California at this point, he’s a sitting senator from that state, his chances have gone up through the roof from 10% all the way to 27%,” Enten added.
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The decline follows a week of negative coverage centered on Porter’s behavior both in public and behind the scenes.
A recent interview with CBS News California’s Julie Watts went viral after Porter became visibly frustrated by a question about how she planned to appeal to the 40% of Californians who voted for President Donald Trump.
As Watts attempted to ask follow-up questions, Porter abruptly cut her off.
“What I’m saying to you is that, I don’t want to keep doing this, I’m gonna call it, thank you … Nope, not like this. Not with seven follow-ups to every single question you’ve asked,” Porter said during the exchange.
“I don’t care, I don’t care. I want to have a pleasant, positive conversation [in] which you asked me about every issue on this list. And if every question, you’re gonna make up a follow-up question, we’re never going to get there. I’ve never had to do this before, ever. To end an interview.”
Democrat California gubernatorial candidate Katie Porter loses it during an interview, complains that she is being asked questions.
Reporter: “What do you say to the 40% of CA voters who you’ll need in order to win, who voted for Trump?”
Porter: “How would I need them in order… pic.twitter.com/3pdxMSacYQ
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) October 8, 2025
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That incident was followed by renewed circulation of a 2021 video showing Porter berating one of her staff members during a recorded appearance.
In the clip, Porter yells, “Get out of my f**king shot,” after the staffer stepped into the frame to correct one of her statements about electric vehicles.
Is there anyone as unlikeable as Katie Porter?!
I am hereby nominating Katie Porter for “Karen of the Year” for 2025.
She is competing with Jessica Tarlov and the Phillies Baseball Karen pic.twitter.com/3oM4UNW0TO
— Shawn Farash (@Shawn_Farash) October 9, 2025
Allegations of mistreatment and misconduct have also resurfaced from former aides and court records.
Porter has faced accusations of verbally abusing staff members and making racially charged comments in the workplace.
Divorce filings from 2023 added to the scrutiny, detailing claims that Porter poured a bowl of “steaming hot boiled potatoes” over her then-husband’s head during an argument.
Katie Porter would pour scalding-hot mashed potatoes on your head if you’re not careful. pic.twitter.com/aacJh4YBmR
— Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) October 8, 2025
Her ex-husband, Matthew Hoffman, alleged that Porter shouted obscenities, clawed his arms, and prevented him from owning a cell phone because she claimed he was “too f**king dumb to operate it,” according to The Daily Mail.
The recent controversies have fueled a massive spike in online interest.
According to Enten, internet searches for Porter surged by 10,000% compared to the previous week. “This has become a story that a lot of Americans are watching,” he said.
Meanwhile, speculation continues to build around Senator Alex Padilla, whose odds in the prediction market have risen despite no formal announcement of a campaign.
Padilla, a high-profile figure in California politics, drew national attention after being escorted out of a Department of Homeland Security press conference in handcuffs earlier this year.
Omg. CNN brought on their legal expert in hopes that he would side with Sen. Padilla over DHS.
They were wrong.
“Officers are trying to lead him out, he turns and walks into those agents. At that point…we’re taking that person out against their will.”pic.twitter.com/0yD7jIIbbp
— johnny maga (@_johnnymaga) June 12, 2025
He is widely viewed as a potential contender in the 2026 gubernatorial race.
As of Thursday, Porter has not responded publicly to the reports or addressed her falling poll numbers.
Political analysts say her path to the governor’s office has grown significantly more difficult amid the mounting controversies surrounding her behavior, staff treatment, and past personal conduct.
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