Katie Porter Questioned on Temperament at California Gubernatorial Debate; Former Ohio State Official Testifies on Jim Jordan
Porter, the only woman among eight prominent candidates, pushed back against criticism of her past outbursts during the May 5, 2026, CNN debate at East Los Angeles College while highlighting immigration's role in state population growth. A separate unsealed deposition from former Ohio State athletic director Andy Geiger stated that Rep.
abcnews.go.comKatie Porter confronted questions about her temperament during a California gubernatorial debate hosted by CNN on May 5, 2026, at East Los Angeles College in Monterey Park, Calif. The former representative, the only woman among the eight most prominent candidates vying to succeed Gov.
Post by @ABC on X
" Seven candidates participated in the testy exchange, with Xavier Becerra drawing the most pointed jabs from rivals.
Porter has said she has taken responsibility and apologized for a 2021 video call incident in which she told a staffer to "get out of my f---ing shot," footage that surfaced in a video from October 2025. " EMILY's List, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, and three sitting members of California’s congressional delegation have endorsed Porter.
U.S. Census Bureau and about 57% of likely Democratic voters in California per the Public Policy Institute of California. California has never had a female governor.
On immigration, Porter said at the May 5, 2026, debate regarding illegal immigrants: “These are Californians. They contribute to our economy. They pay taxes. ” An estimated 400,000 illegal immigrants entered California from 2021 to 2023 according to the Public Policy Institute of California.
California’s overall population grew by just under 20,000 between July 2021 and July 2023 according to the California Department of Finance. California saw a net population loss of 215,542 from domestic migration in 2025 and a net gain of 125,473 from foreign migration in 2025 according to the California Department of Finance.
5 billion in state and local taxes during 2022 according to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy.
Separately, a deposition unsealed on May 5 or 6, 2026, by the Southern District of Ohio revealed that Andy Geiger testified in his opinion Rep. Jim Jordan “probably knew” that Dr. Richard Strauss was abusing wrestlers more than two decades ago.
He added, “I don’t know for sure. ” Andy Geiger started at Ohio State University in 1994 and served as athletic director until 2005. Jim Jordan was OSU’s assistant wrestling coach from 1986 to 1994.
Richard Strauss died by suicide in 2005. An independent investigation by Perkins Coie concluded that Strauss sexually abused at least 177 male student-patients. Ohio State University has settled with 317 survivors for more than $61 million as of April 15, 2026.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
6 events- May 7, 8:03 AM ET
1 new source added: The New York Times
1 sourceThe New York Times - 2026-05-06
Deposition from Andy Geiger unsealed by Southern District of Ohio revealing his opinion that Rep. Jim Jordan probably knew of Richard Strauss abuse
2 sourcesNBC News · Facts 17,18,19 - 2026-05-05
CNN-hosted California gubernatorial debate takes place at East Los Angeles College with seven candidates including Katie Porter
3 sourcesABC News · RealClearPolitics · Facts 1,2,14 - 2026-05-05
Katie Porter releases campaign ad joking about past outbursts and addresses temperament questions during debate
1 sourceABC News - 2025-10
Video surfaces showing Katie Porter telling staffer to 'get out of my f---ing shot' during 2021 call
1 sourceABC News - 2005
Richard Strauss dies by suicide; Andy Geiger ends tenure as Ohio State athletic director
2 sourcesNBC News · Facts 20,22
Potential Impact
- 01
Geiger's unsealed testimony may renew scrutiny of Rep. Jim Jordan's knowledge of Ohio State scandal amid ongoing lawsuits and $61 million in settlements
- 02
Porter's debate performance and ad could influence primary voters as mail voting is already underway in California's crowded Democratic field
- 03
Porter's immigration comments risk energizing Republican opposition while reinforcing support among Democratic primary voters who favor sanctuary policies
Transparency Panel
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