In southern California, there’s been a shuffle among the Democrats. Ex-Representative Katie Porter, known for her unsuccessful Senate bid where she trailed behind Senator Adam Schiff and Republican Steve Garvey, has now announced her intentions to take the highest office in the state. Making no headway in the Senate, shopping for a change of office seems like the next best step.
Yes, the same Katie Porter who was unable to complete more than three terms in a wavering district of Southern California has now, in an audacious move, decided to run for governor to replace Gavin Newsom. Her chances of success, however, remain in question.
Joining her in the rat race for governor are several other Democrats, Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, and Tony Thurmond, state Superintendent of Public Instruction, amongst others. It’s crowded field, indeed. Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and entrepreneur Stephen Cloobeck are also in the fray, turning the nomination into a spectacle rather than a competition.
The ever-shifting political landscape of California also has whispers of a possible run from Kamala Harris, our former Vice President, who managed a spectacular, nationwide defeat in the last White House race. It seems even losses on a grand scale cannot dampen the spirits of our political players.
Porter, in her promotional video, spoke of ‘hope’, ‘grit’, ‘fresh blood’, and ‘new ideas’ for California. Ironical, considering her own political history which has been devoid of any wins, and her ‘new ideas’ seem to be old ones stuck in a loop, rehashed to woo the voters.
Her sudden thirst for ‘fighting for what’s right’ seems more a rhetorical promise than a sturdy claim, given her lackluster record in the House and her defeat in the Senate. If anything, this announcement could be seen as a desperate attempt to resurrect her fading political career.
Porter visualizes herself as a guardian against ex-President Trump, claiming that her decision to run for office was to ‘hold Trump accountable’ and to ‘stop him from hurting Californians’. However, throwing around unsubstantiated claims seems more of a political charade than a genuine concern for Californians’ welfare.
Some time ago, Porter declared her support for Kamala Harris if she were to run for the governor’s post. But it’s comical how these politicians are ready to back each other, despite their policies proving ineffectual for the very citizens they pledge to serve.
Harris, on the other hand, has not made any official decision about running for governor. It is almost as if she is testing the waters, after her unsuccessful Presidential bid. One would assume such a large-scale defeat might bring a rethink or a pause, but the carousel of political ambitions keeps spinning.
Though the Democratic flock is crowded, and the competition seems fierce on the surface, one questions their real vision for the Californian citizens, beyond the buzzwords and campaign rhetoric. It’s a parade that Californians have seen time and time again.
Looking from the outside in, this race seems to have become less about who is best suited to lead and more about ‘who’s next in line’. It’s a circus of ambition with too many players and not enough ringmasters.
For the Californians, the Democratic primaries scheduled for June 2, 2026, might just end up being another day of watching politicians scramble for power, with little impact on their day-to-day lives. After all, change in leadership has rarely meant a change for the better in the golden state.
So, as these Democrats prepare to face each other to secure the gubernatorial nomination, the real question remains. Who amongst them can actually deliver on the promise of visionary leadership that, so far, seems to be missing from the lineup? Only time will tell.