FEC records expose California gubernatorial candidate Katie Porter’s stunning hypocrisy after she attacked billionaire Tom Steyer for joining the race while secretly having accepted over $16,000 from him in past campaigns.
Story Highlights
- Porter publicly slammed Steyer as a “new billionaire” trying to buy the California governorship
- FEC records reveal Porter previously accepted $16,000+ in campaign donations from Steyer
- Democratic strategists label Porter’s handling “disastrous” and a party liability
- Porter refuses to respond to media requests about the donation controversy
Porter’s Anti-Billionaire Stance Crumbles Under Scrutiny
Katie Porter positioned herself as California’s champion against wealthy elites when Tom Steyer announced his gubernatorial candidacy in November 2025. The former congresswoman immediately took to social media, denouncing Steyer’s entry and criticizing his business background. Porter’s populist messaging portrayed her as the authentic progressive voice fighting corporate interests, while painting Steyer as another billionaire attempting to purchase political power.
FEC Records Reveal Damaging Financial Ties
Federal Election Commission filings tell a different story about Porter’s relationship with billionaire money. The records show Porter’s campaigns accepted over $16,000 in contributions from Tom Steyer, the same man she now condemns for his wealth and business dealings. These donations directly contradict Porter’s current anti-billionaire rhetoric and expose the gap between her public persona and private fundraising practices.
Democratic Strategists Sound Alarm on Porter’s Viability
Political insiders within the Democratic Party express serious concerns about Porter’s candidacy following the FEC revelations. Multiple strategists describe her handling of the situation as “disastrous” and warn she could become a liability in the general election. The controversy highlights broader tensions within California’s Democratic primary, where candidates including Betty Yee, Antonio Villaraigosa, Xavier Becerra, Tony Thurmond, and Ian Calderon compete for the nomination.
Porter’s refusal to address the FEC records publicly compounds the damage to her campaign. When contacted by media outlets for comment on the donation controversy, Porter’s team remained silent, allowing the narrative of hypocrisy to dominate coverage. This response contrasts sharply with her typical aggressive media strategy and suggests internal recognition of the political vulnerability.
Campaign Finance Hypocrisy Threatens Progressive Credibility
The Porter-Steyer controversy exposes fundamental contradictions in progressive politics regarding wealthy donors and campaign finance. Porter built her political brand on consumer advocacy and challenging corporate interests, yet her willingness to accept Steyer’s contributions undermines these principles. This inconsistency reinforces conservative arguments about the left’s selective outrage and flexible ethics when political convenience demands it.
California voters deserve transparency about their candidates’ funding sources, especially when those candidates campaign on anti-establishment platforms. Porter’s acceptance of Steyer’s money while later attacking his wealth demonstrates the kind of political opportunism that erodes public trust in democratic institutions and validates concerns about progressive authenticity.
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Unearthed FEC records expose Katie Porter’s hypocrisy
California governor candidate Katie Porter
