Katie Porter sends desperate text as Matt Mahan enters governor’s race

Former congresswoman Katie Porter issued a desperate plea to supporters Friday, warning of dire consequences if they don’t shore up her fading bid for California governor.

“We lose the Governorship in California, we lose the U.S. House of Representatives. It’s that simple,” Porter wrote in a dramatic fundraising text to supporters hours after San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan announced his bid for the same seat.

The progressive former rep, who’s fading in betting markets as Mahan and East Bay Rep. Eric Swalwell gain an edge among Democrats, explained that California’s nonpartisan “jungle primary” in June could allow two Republicans to advance to the general election.

A poll of 800 voters conducted this month, prior to Mahan entering the race, shows Republicans Chad Bianco and Steve Hilton leading but many voters undecided. Democratic voters were heavily splintered between Swalwell, Porter, climate activist Tom Steyer, former LA mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and others.

Porter, a lefty darling who gained fame for whiteboard presentations on affordability, was once considered the Democratic frontrunner for California’s top job until unflattering footage emerged of her berating a staffer and melting down during a television interview.

“The California governor’s race is one of the most important races happening this year. Governors are the last line of defense states have against the Trump administration. And we could lose that protection,” Porter insisted in her text.

Gambling markets show Mahan promptly leapfrogging Porter in betting odds after he announced his campaign.

Porter’s campaign didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Mahan appeared on CNN Friday to tout his record reducing homelessness and promoting public safety as mayor of California’s third-largest city.

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“To follow through in the mission I’ve begun in San Jose, we need more help from sate government — we need our state to be as focuesed and accountable as we’ve been at the local level,” Mahan told CNN’s Elex Michaelson.

He diplomatically praised Newsom’s defense of California against the Trump administration but noted “differences of opinion” on crime and addiction policies.

“We’re both Democrats, we’re both pragmatic … but we have differences of opinion,” Mahan said.

“I would just like more of his attention on what we’re doing in our cities and how the state can help us,” he continued. “I’m not just picking on the governor — I want to see the legislature and core institutions more focused and accountable on the core challenges facing Californians.”

Porter’s governor campaign has raised $3.6 million so far, compared to Swalwell’s $2.6 million, according to campaign finance data. Mahan has not yet revealed any fundraising figures.