Congresswoman Katie Porter of California announced on Tuesday that she would be running for Senator Dianne Feinstein’s seat. But given Porter’s supposed office conduct, Cockburn can’t help but wonder if anyone would dare to work for her campaign. Former staffers for the representative have made allegations that Porter “says rude/racist things” and “talks [expletive] about other members, leadership, staffers, local electeds etc.”
It was earlier reported that Porter had mistreated a staffer for having caught and transmitted Covid to the congresswoman. After the staffer apologized via text message, Porter replied, “Well, you gave me Covid. In twenty-five months, it took you not following the rules to get me sick.” Though the mainstream press is yet to cover the allegations, Cockburn expects that they will become a factor in her Senate run.
The staffer who made the allegations of racist statements also alleged that it is “widely known across the party/consultants that Katie Porter is abusive.” The comment continues, “give it time and [Porter’s] will rank among the legendary toxic offices.” Another comment says that, “I had multiple panic attacks, she was always screaming at staffers over the phone during her fundraising call time.” Apparently, “her consultants aren’t any better [because] you have to be just as insane to work for her.”
Some GOP wags are already demonstrating how big an issue these accusations could prove for Porter. Nobody likes a nasty politician.
If I was @katieporteroc, I might be a little more concerned with treating my staff with dignity and respect than I was with a bid for #CASEN. https://t.co/gQs2Sqb5YN pic.twitter.com/5tiy6842Nu
— blayne c. (@blaynecs) January 10, 2023
Cockburn reached out to Representative Porter’s office to see if they were worried about the potential impact of the allegations on her Senate campaign. He is awaiting a response at the time of publication.
Porter, a progressive cable news darling, was also seen on the House floor last week during the various votes for speaker reading a copy of The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck. Lol! As New York magazine writer Shawn McCreesh pointed out, this is a “weird” choice for a woman who now “wants to represent 20 million people.”
It should be noted that the incumbent senator, Dianne Feinstein, has not declared whether or not she plans to run again. However, the eighty-nine-year-old Feinstein, who has served in the Senate since 1992, took a thinly veiled swipe at Porter. In her statement regarding the congresswoman’s announcement, Feinstein said that “everyone is of course welcome to throw their hat in the ring… right now I am focused on ensuring California has all the resources it needs to cope with the devastating storms slamming the state and leaving more than a dozen dead.”
Cockburn thinks Porter could probably have picked her moment better…
