Katie Porter Appointed to California Community Colleges Board After Declaring Break from Politics

Three months after stating she was stepping away from politics, former U.S. Representative Katie Porter has been appointed to the California Community Colleges Board of Governors by Gov. Gavin Newsom. The position, which requires confirmation from the state Senate, offers a daily stipend of $100 for official duties.

Porter, who represented Orange County in Congress for three terms, recently concluded a statewide gubernatorial campaign where she finished fifth in the June primary. This followed her unsuccessful bid for a U.S. Senate seat in 2024. Following her latest electoral defeat, Porter announced on social media in July that she was "done for now with politics and campaigning," renaming her Instagram account "Katie Porter Turns the Page" and beginning to post book reviews.

During her gubernatorial campaign, Porter received 403,908 votes, or 4.4% of the total. The field of candidates for governor included Democrats Xavier Becerra and Antonio Villaraigosa, alongside Republicans Steve Hilton and Tom Steyer. Becerra and Hilton advanced to the November runoff.

Porter, a Harvard-trained consumer law professor, gained national recognition during her tenure in the House of Representatives for her use of a whiteboard during oversight hearings. Her public career has also been marked by controversies, including allegations of bullying behavior during her governor's race. Leaked footage showed Porter berating a staffer, and her ex-husband had previously made allegations about her conduct during their marriage. Porter has apologized for her past actions and acknowledged instances where she could have handled situations better.

Despite her recent declarations about leaving politics, Porter's appointment suggests a continued involvement in public service through her new role on the community college board. The board oversees the state's system of 116 community colleges, serving over two million students.