Katie Porter Claims California Primary Race Was Rigged by Billionaires, Losing to Adam Schiff
Senate candidate Katie Porter, D-Calif., has made a bold accusation that the California primary race was rigged by “an onslaught of billionaires” after her loss to her Democratic opponent, Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif. Porter, a progressive Democrat, faced a disappointing defeat, failing to win a single county and earning a statewide total of just under 14%. She finished behind both Schiff and Republican candidate Steve Garvey, coming in third place in Orange County, which she has represented since 2019.
Porter took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to express her frustration and pointed out that her supporters “had the establishment running scared – withstanding 3 to 1 in TV spending and an onslaught of billionaires spending millions to rig this election.” According to Porter, these results highlight the hunger among Californians for leaders who break the mold, cannot be bought, and push for accountability in government and across the economy.
In her statement, Porter criticized the influence of special interests on politics, stating, “Special interests like politics as it is today because they control the politicians. As we’ve seen in this campaign, they spend millions to defeat someone who will dilute their influence and disrupt the status quo.” This sentiment echoes criticisms frequently directed at former President Trump for his claims of a “rigged” election after losing to President Biden in the 2020 presidential race.
The allegations made by Porter are significant and have garnered attention. Fox News Digital reached out to the campaign offices of both Porter and Schiff for additional comments. However, Garvey declined to respond to the claims.
Interestingly, Porter herself has received substantial funding from big donors to boost her campaign, despite her stance of not accepting corporate PAC money. Federal campaign finance disclosures reveal that she has accepted thousands of dollars in donations from big Wall Street donors. This contradiction raises questions about the influence of money in politics and the ability to remain independent from special interests.
The California primary race is unique in that it places all candidates, regardless of party affiliation, on the same primary ballot. The top two candidates who receive the most votes then advance to the general election. With registered Democrats outnumbering Republicans in California by about 2-to-1, it has been challenging for Republicans to secure statewide victories since 2006.
While Porter’s claims of a rigged primary race may raise eyebrows, they also shed light on the concerns surrounding money and influence in politics. The battle for accountability and transparency continues to be a central theme in American democracy. As the California primary race comes to a close, the focus now shifts to the general election, where Adam Schiff will face off against Steve Garvey. Californians will undoubtedly be watching closely to see who emerges as the ultimate victor in this high-stakes political contest.
Sources:
– Fox News Digital
– The Associated Press
