MEMO: Katie Porter Offers the Strongest Path to Victory in California

TO:             Interested Parties
FROM:       EMILYs List
RE:             Katie Porter Offers the Strongest Path to Victory in California
DATE:        April 17, 2026
 

EMILYs List-endorsed Katie Porter is gaining significant late momentum, solidifying her position at the front of California’s gubernatorial field. In the wake of Eric Swallwell’s exit from this race, it’s clearer than ever that Californians deserve a governor who is battle-tested, forthright, and prepared to lead the state. It is time to elect the first woman Governor in California. Katie Porter is the most-prepared candidate to meet this moment and signs show California voters agree.   

Porter in Strongest Position After Swalwell’s Collapse

In what currently amounts to a two-candidate Democratic race, Katie Porter is tied with Tom Steyer and poised to receive the greatest boost in voter enthusiasm and support in the coming weeks. An internal campaign poll found nearly half of Swalwell supporters (46%) named Katie Porter their second choice, compared to just 14% who favored Steyer — even after Steyer had spent 40 million in paid advertising.

Steyer has now poured over $120 million into his campaign to date without rising into the lead, while Porter, who just started her paid advertising, possesses the highest favorability rating and name ID among Democrats. It’s clear Porter has the greatest potential for growth within the field while Steyer appears to have reached a ceiling with California voters with more than six-weeks to go. She will need only a fraction of Steyer’s spend to remind voters of her record fighting against special interests and defending working families. 

Stark Contrast in the Field

As a single mom to three kids, Katie Porter has lived through the most pressing challenges facing California’s working families today — from the rising costs of housing, utilities, groceries, higher education, and more. Katie has a proven track record as Congress’ “toughest questioner,” who has taken on Big Pharma, health insurance companies, and other bad actors to protect working families and their wallets.

In a political environment where voters are fed up with billionaire money deciding their elections, Katie Porter remains the only candidate in the race who is neither a billionaire nor taking corporate PAC money. She stands in stark contrast to Tom Steyer, who California voters see as an out-of-touch billionaire trying to buy himself the state’s highest office. The source of his wealth remains a massive and growing liability with California voters: investing in private prisons that are being used to house undocumented immigrants facing deportation.

At a time when the governor of California plays a crucial role in pushing back on disastrous and dangerous policies coming out of the Trump administration, Californians can’t afford an untested, ill-equipped executive. Katie already has a proven track record of taking on tough fights like those the governor needs to be ready to face on day one. 

Katie will not only take on the powerful and the Trump administration in office; she has the opportunity to make history in California by becoming the state’s first woman governor.

Built a Winning Coalition

Katie has earned the support of dozens of progressive leaders, elected officials, labor unions, and advocacy organizations committed to putting constituents first. Her coalition includes major statewide labor groups—such as the California Federation of Labor Unions, the Teamsters, United Auto Workers, National Union of Healthcare Workers, United Nurses Associations of California / Union of Health Care Professionals, Orange County Employees Association, and IBEW Local 441—as well as leaders and advocates like Senator Elizabeth Warren, the Women’s Political Committee, End Citizens United, the Climate Center Action Fund, and California Environmental Voters.

Bottom Line

Katie is in the strongest position to advance through the primary, prevent a Democratic lockout,  and secure the governorship. As the San Francisco Chronicle reported, “Democrats can pull victory from the jaws of defeat by coalescing around Porter.”

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