Katie Porter refuses to deny possibility of more leaked videos of unhinged behavior

(FOX40.COM) — After a week of backlash over a disastrous news interview and leaked video footage showing California governor hopeful Katie Porter berating a staffer, she is breaking her silence.

On Oct. 8, viral video footage obtained by POLITICO showed Porter intensely swearing at a staffer during a recorded meeting. The recording came from a 2021 meeting that was being taped for the Biden administration. At the time, Porter was a representative for Congress (D-Calif).

“Get out of my F****** shot,” Porter said to the staffer in the video.

The leaked video came one day after Porter went viral for threatening to storm out of a CBS Sacramento interview. Porter, who many people consider to be a frontrunner in the race to become the next state governor, accused the interviewer, Julie Watts, of asking too many follow-up questions and being argumentative. Although Porter ultimately completed the interview, her reaction raised questions about her temperament.

On Tuesday, Porter sat down with Inside California Politics host and FOX40 anchor Nikki Laurenzo for her first interview since the viral moments.

Response to viral news interview

Q (Laurenzo): What do you want people to know about you, and do you have the temperament to be the next governor of California?
A (Porter): When I look at those videos, I want people to know that I understand that I could have handled things better. I think I’m known as someone who is able to answer tough questions – who is willing to answer questions – and I want people to know that I really value the incredible work that my staff can do. People who know me know I can be tough, but I need to do a better job of expressing appreciation for the amazing work that my team does.

Possibility of more ‘Katie Porter videos’

Q: Should California voters feel confident that there aren’t any more ‘Katie Porter videos’ out there?
A: Well, what I know is that I could have done better in those moments. I’m going to be focused on earning their votes and earning their trust. That’s true in every election and I’ve only ever had tough elections.
Q: But not just the CBS interview – the interview with the staffer. Can voters be confident that there won’t be another one of those videos that’s going to come to light?
A: What I do know is that I could have done better in that situation.
Q: But that’s not a ‘no.’ Is there potentially another video that we’re going to see?
A: Nikki, I’m going to be honest with you. I know that video – and that video was several years ago as you know – I apologized to the staffer. That’s super important to me. I will continue to try and hold myself to do better. That’s what I can promise.

Laurenzo continued to press Porter about the possibility of another video being leaked, and she responded with, “I’m telling you what I have told you – I am taking responsibility for this situation, and I’m also not going to back down from fighting back for California. From being tough – I don’t think this is a moment where the ‘same old same old’ is going to cut it.”