Sen. Elizabeth Warren endorses former Rep. Katie Porter for governor
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) on Thursday endorsed former Rep. Katie Porter, a former Harvard Law School student whom she patronized, for governor of California.
“From the moment Katie walked into my consumer law class, I knew she would be a warrior for working families,” Warren said in a statement, citing Porter’s work on the foreclosure crisis as well as her questioning of corporate leaders and members of the Trump administration while using a whiteboard at hearings while representing her Orange County district in Congress.
“No one stands up to Trump with more courage and determination than Katie,” Warren said. But just as importantly, he will champion the bold, progressive vision that California workers and families deserve.”
The approval comes at the top of the California Democratic Party’s convention in San Francisco this weekend; Meanwhile, there is no real frontrunner in the crowded race to replace outgoing Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Porter was initially thought to have a potential advantage in the race, but his hopes were dashed in October when videos emerged of the UC Irvine law professor berating a reporter and swearing at an aide. He expressed regret for his behavior.
Warren and Porter, who met more than two decades ago, have a longstanding relationship, to the point that the senator is the namesake of one of Porter’s children.
Porter endorsed Warren during the 2020 presidential campaign, which has since caused consternation among some California Democrats. Kamala Harris, who appointed Porter as state attorney general in 2012 to oversee a $25 billion mortgage deal with the nation’s leading banks, was also running for the White House.
In responding to Warren’s confirmation, Porter noted their shared values, such as fighting for consumer protections in Congress.
“Senator Warren and I fought together in Congress to hold accountable the Big Banks and giant corporations that deceived the American people,” Porter said. “From the classroom to the Capitol, we have made it our life’s mission to fight for working families. I will be a governor who is unbought, determined, and unwilling to maintain the special-interest status quo that leaves too many Californians behind.”
