Katie Porter, the former Congresswoman and all-around progressive warrior, is officially throwing her hat into the ring for California’s 2026 gubernatorial race. With a background that includes flipping a Republican seat in Orange County and becoming a household name for her fierce questioning on Capitol Hill, Porter is ready to make waves once again.

In a campaign video that oozes sass and determination, Porter reiterated her commitment to holding Trump accountable. “I won’t back down when Trump hurts Californians , whether it’s disaster relief, our rights, or squeezing working families for his wealthy buddies,” she said, and honestly, we can’t think of anyone better suited to take on the big bad bully of politics.

Last year, Porter ran for a Senate seat and faced a disappointing third-place finish, but she didn’t let that stop her from rallying the troops for another battle. She called the election “rigged by billionaires,” and if that doesn’t resonate with those of us tired of corporate influencers ruining our democracy, we don’t know what will. Now, she’s set to lead the charge against sitting Governor Gavin Newsom, who is wrapping up his term in a rather cozy manner.

Despite her enthusiasm, Porter’s campaign specifics are still a bit hazy, though she has made promises to protect abortion rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and immigrant communities. She declared, “I’ll go toe-to-toe with anyone who tries to hurt Californians,” which might be easier said than done when you’re up against the political elite backing other candidates.

Other notable figures vying for the governorship include Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, both of whom have leaned into personal narratives instead of real policy substance. Meanwhile, Porter is attempting to carve out her niche as the anti-Trump voice for our state, leveraging the fact that a solid majority of Californians aren’t exactly fans of the former president.

And let’s not forget the elephant in the room, former Vice President Kamala Harris may still decide to enter the race, which would undoubtedly shake things up and send many candidates packing.

So as the race heats up leading into the June 2026 primary, all eyes will be on Porter. Can she turn her progressive ideals into actionable policies, or will her campaign fizzle under the weight of corporate dollars that she claims to shun? Only time will tell. Until then, her showdown with Trump and the establishment is one we’ll be watching closely.