Full Breakdown
Katie Porter’s Campaign Ad Revisits Viral ‘Get Out of My Shot’ Moment
5/6/2026, 3:04:29 AM
Campaign Ad Reframes a Viral Outburst
On Monday, former U.S. Representative Katie Porter released a TV ad for her California gubernatorial campaign that references a viral clip where she told a staffer, “Get out of my shot.” The ad shows Porter pushing a shopping cart, refueling a minivan she says has about 200,000 miles, and noting an adult child may soon be living on her couch. Supporters hold signs like “Abolish ICE” and “Dump Trump.” Porter ends the spot joking, “Now could you guys please get out of my shot?”
Candidates and Poll Landscape
Porter joins a crowded field to replace term-limited Governor Gavin Newsom. Leading Democrat Xavier Becerra, former Health and Human Services secretary, currently ties with Trump-endorsed Republican Steve Hilton in several surveys. Republican Sheriff Chad Bianco also appears. An EVITARUS poll for the California Democratic Party shows Porter at 8 percent, Becerra and Hilton each at 18 percent. An Emerson College poll released in mid-April lists Porter at 10 percent, Hilton at 17 percent, and Bianco at 14 percent.
Porter's Official Rationale
Porter told Nexstar Media Group the ad is meant to show Californians “who I really am,” emphasizing she is “not like most politicians.” She said the footage shows repeated responsibility, the ability to laugh at herself, and that such self-awareness is a “mark of leadership.” She also highlighted the everyday-person imagery of pushing a cart and driving a high-mileage minivan.
Criticism and Opposition
Porter faced criticism after an October 2025 interview with CBS News reporter Julie Watts, where she called the questioning “unnecessarily argumentative” and said, “I don’t want to keep doing this. I’m going to call it.” The resurfaced 2021 video also prompted commentators to question her on-camera demeanor and suitability for statewide office.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the clip’s timing: Newsweek calls it a 2021 video, while other outlets say it went viral only last year. Polls also vary, with EVITARUS showing Porter at 8 percent and Emerson College at 10 percent. The staffer’s identity and the exact correction she attempted remain undisclosed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Get out of my f****** shot,” — Katie Porter, former U.S. Representative
- “Now, could you guys please get out of my shot?” — Katie Porter, gubernatorial candidate
- “I think it’s important to show Californians who I really am. I’m someone who’s not like most politicians,” — Katie Porter, gubernatorial candidate
- “The real Katie Porter is the one who’s been on the campaign trail for the last year, who has made apologies and has shown that she can do better,” — Katie Porter, gubernatorial candidate
What’s Next
Mail-in ballots have already been mailed statewide, and California’s nonpartisan primary is scheduled for June 2. The outcome will determine the final field for the November 3 general election to succeed Governor Gavin Newsom.
