Elections

Democratic Rep. Katie Porter Announces Senate Run

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Michael Ginsberg Congressional Correspondent
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Democratic California Rep. Katie Porter announced Tuesday that she will run for Senate in 2024, possibly setting up a primary matchup with Dianne Feinstein.

“Change can be electrifying and exhilarating. But change can also be disruptive. The constant assault on our democracy, and the dangerous imbalance in our economy. The threat from so-called leaders, like Mitch McConnell, has made the U.S. Senate a place where rights get revoked, special interests get rewarded, and our democracy gets rigged,” Porter said in a Twitter video declaring her candidacy.

A third-term congresswoman who represents parts of Orange County, Porter became a left-wing media darling for her use of a white board and questioning of oil and natural gas company executives. She is also reportedly an abusive boss who ordered a staffing fellow to work remotely after the congresswoman and staffer both tested positive for COVID-19. Porter blamed the staffer for her contracting the virus, according to messages published by the social media account “Dear White Staffers.”

Porter also reportedly bashed Irvine, California police after her roommate was arrested at a town hall. Protesters ripped Porter as a carpetbagger, and her roommate allegedly responded by punching someone. Porter claimed in a text message that the police were a “disgrace” and that she would “never trust them again.” (RELATED: ‘Carpetbagger Katie!’: Protest Turns Violent At Democrat’s Town Hall, Several Get Into Scuffle)

Democratic California Rep. Dianne Feinstein’s six-year term ends in 2024. Feinstein, who is 89-years-old, reportedly struggles with extensive memory loss. She declined to run for Senate Judiciary Committee chairwoman in 2021, despite serving as ranking member on the panel since 2017. Feinstein also declined to serve as President Pro Tempore in the 118th Congress despite being the longest serving Democrat. The position instead went to Patty Murray of Washington.

Although Feinstein has filed to run for reelection, she has not declared a campaign for a sixth full term. Democratic Reps. Adam Schiff and Ro Khanna have also expressed interest in the seat.