EMILY's List backs Porter in CA governor race amid scrutiny

Katie Porter, a leading candidate in California's 2026 gubernatorial race, won the endorsement of EMILYs List on Monday even as video of a tense interview in which she threatened to end the conversation has continued to draw scrutiny. The endorsement from the pro-choice women's group could bring significant early funding and grassroots support to Porter's campaign as she seeks to replace term-limited Governor Gavin Newsom.

The endorsement marks a boost for Porter, who launched her campaign March 11 and quickly emerged as a frontrunner. EMILYs List, which has raised hundreds of millions of dollars over four decades to support Democratic women who back legal abortion, helped Porter win a House seat in Orange County in 2018. Party leaders and allies say the group's backing can translate into early money, organizers, and voter outreach that are often pivotal in competitive statewide contests.

Porter has faced recent public scrutiny after an on-camera exchange last month with reporter Julie Watts grew heated when Watts pressed her on how she would win votes from Californians who supported former President Donald Trump. Asked what she would say to the roughly 40 percent of voters who...