Porter Staffers Rescue Katie’s Management Style

This letter was posted in the Washington Post and deserves some California coverage.  Sunday’s NY Times opinion section had a round up story of all the leading candidates running for Governor and branded Porter as “The Mean Girl.”  A man with Katie’s temperment would never be questioned.

“To Whom It May Concern,

We are former staff members of Congresswoman Katie Porter. We served in her congressional office and on her campaigns, and we know what it is like to work with her up close, day after day. We believe the public should understand the full person we know, not a caricature built from a few clips on a bad day.

Here is what does not make the news Katie shows up for her team. When we were dealing with illness, grief, or family emergencies, she supported us in ways that were real and personal. She demanded a lot. but she also fought for us. mentored us. and stood by us when life got hard. She showed up not just in the hardest moments but also in the best ones. at our weddings, celebrating the births of our children, and offering guidance as we navigated the next steps in our lives and careers. Whether it was a successful committee hearing, a

fundraising quarter, or an in-district town hall, Katie recognized these wins as a team effort.

The traits that make Katie effective don’t always look soft around the edges. People are drawn to Katie’s leadership because she is a workhorse. She asked of us what she expected of herself.

We have worked for other members of Congress, senior military leaders, executive branch officials, and in demanding private-sector roles. Without hesitation, Katie’s standards were among the highest. But that’s one reason we chose to work for her. We know that Katie got into politics and policy for many of the same reasons we did: to reform broken systems, serve people, and accomplish big things. A few video clips of our worst moments are not the full or honest measure of Katie or anyone’s career.

That’s the truth.