Rep. Katie Porter, D-Calif., expressed regret for calling the recent California Senate primary “rigged” after losing to Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., and Republican Steve Garvey, a former professional baseball player, according to The Hill. Porter’s initial comments after her primary loss reportedly sparked backlash and criticism within her own party.
In early March, Porter wrote on X that she faced an “onslaught of billionaires spending millions to rig this election.” Her remarks drew comparisons to former President Donald Trump’s rhetoric about election integrity.
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Trump has repeatedly called the 2020 presidential election “rigged” and alleged fraud. The GOP front-runner has also positioned himself as an “anti-establishment” candidate.
Porter said in a post on X that her supporters had the “establishment running scared.”
In an interview on the “Pod Save America” podcast, Porter clarified that she did not intend to impugn state election officials but rather highlight the influence of big money in politics. She admitted that using the term “rigged” was a mistake and emphasized the role of money in influencing elections.
While some experts acknowledge the impact of big money in politics, they caution against equating it with election rigging.
The California Senate primary employs a top-two system. Schiff’s campaign utilized TV ads to contrast him with Garvey, aiming to secure an easier path to the general election by matching him up with a Republican.
