A newly published video obtained by Politico shows California gubernatorial candidate Katie Porter angrily berating a staffer during a virtual meeting in July 2021 with then-Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm. In the footage, Porter can be heard shouting, “Get out of my f*cking shot!” after the staffer appeared in her video frame while correcting a statement she made about electric vehicles.
The staffer, whose identity is not disclosed, had also been visible earlier in the background during the recording. Porter admonished them for this, saying, “You also were in my shot before that. Stay out of my shot.” The final edited version of the webinar released by the Department of Energy did not include that exchange.
At one point, the discussion shifted to Porter’s dissatisfaction with her relationship to the White House: she complained of being excluded from meetings despite her fundraising efforts and said she was the “least in-connection” House member with the White House. Granholm attempted to reassure her, stating: “That is not true.”
The resurfaced video adds to mounting scrutiny over Porter’s temperament. The candidate has faced past allegations of being demanding or volatile in staff interactions. In response to the new clip, Porter issued a statement acknowledging that she holds high standards for her team, and says she has been trying to show more appreciation moving forward.
As Porter leads in early polls for the Democratic nomination for California governor, her rivals have seized upon the newly revealed footage to question her leadership style and temperament heading into a competitive election.
