Failed Dem Senate Candidate Claims Election Was Rigged

Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.) is suggesting the primary for an open Senate seat was rigged.

In a post on X, Porter reacted to the news of her defeat in the primary, writing, "Thank you to everyone who supported our campaign and voted to shake up the status quo in Washington. Because of you, we had the establishment running scared — withstanding 3 to 1 in TV spending and an onslaught of billionaires spending millions to rig this election."

"It's clear Californians are hungry for leaders who break the mold, can't be bought, and push for accountability in government and across our economy. And that's exactly what we as Americans deserve," she continued. "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. But take my word for it: I'll never stop fighting for you."

https://twitter.com/katieporteroc/status/1765513523050791023

https://twitter.com/katieporteroc/status/1765513528268485007

On Tuesday, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Republican Steve Garvey beat out Porter to advance to the general election in a race to fill the seat left open by the late-Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D).

Porter's use of the word "rig" led to an avalanche of criticism and mockery:

https://twitter.com/secupp/status/1765595877236744594

https://twitter.com/AriFleischer/status/1765570643423113269

https://twitter.com/jbarro/status/1765534272591385077

https://twitter.com/mattdizwhitlock/status/1765548946187784540

https://twitter.com/benshapiro/status/1765565587080565110

https://twitter.com/Mar__G_3/status/1765557971960975601

https://twitter.com/jonallendc/status/1765553590490255505

https://twitter.com/HeathMayo/status/1765570372806545480

In a statement , Porter sought to clarify and defend her comment as she said rigged means to be "manipulated by dishonest means," and claimed "our politics are -- in fact -- manipulated by big dark money."

"At no time have I ever undermined the vote count and election process in CA, which are beyond reproach," she added.