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.”
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. (1/)
— Katie Porter (@katieporteroc) March 6, 2024
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.
— Katie Porter (@katieporteroc) March 6, 2024
But take my word for it: I'll never stop fighting for you. (3/3)
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:
“Rig.” Guess we’re just doing this now when we lose. https://t.co/67dVsww2Bo
— S.E. Cupp (@secupp) March 7, 2024
Here’s a Democrat who claims her election was ”rigged,”
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) March 7, 2024
I’m certain the MSM will pound her for that. You’re not allowed to say that – or does that apply to only one person? https://t.co/rlKvICSuU1
It's a little pathetic to cry "rigged" when you're running 20 points behind your opponent. https://t.co/Chclhv0CIy
— Josh Barro (@jbarro) March 7, 2024
I wonder if Katie Porter has considered that she’s just horribly unlikable and not a very good person. https://t.co/tdEzJDfBma
— Matt Whitlock (@mattdizwhitlock) March 7, 2024
Why don't you write something on a whiteboard about this https://t.co/nRbbq0xXWx
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) March 7, 2024
Lmao Katie Porter is an election denier now that she lost https://t.co/EaEMCIr48w
— Maggie Howell (@Mar__G_3) March 7, 2024
Katie Porter, who has less than 14% and trails Steve Garvey by more than 700,000 votes for second place, says the California Senate primary was rigged. https://t.co/1VxdamFzko pic.twitter.com/SECZ6HqH0n
— Jonathan Allen (@jonallendc) March 7, 2024
Sheesh. Another whiner who says elections are “rigged” whenever they lose. No wonder Schiff trounced you.
— Heath Mayo (@HeathMayo) March 7, 2024
California Democrats clearly made the right choice. https://t.co/noMpS1Y0FI
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.