Porter raises $5.2 million in third quarter

Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.) raised $5.2 million in the third fundraising quarter of 2020, an eyebrow-raising number for one of the Democratic Party’s most prominent freshmen in Congress. 

In total, Porter has raised $13.2 million for this election cycle while her Republican opponent Greg Raths trails behind at $740,000 raised, The Washington Post reported.

Porter, a professor who took over representing California’s traditionally Republican 45th District in 2018, has emerged as a sharp critic of financial industry officials and members of President Trump’s administration.

“We try, in our fundraising, to be really honest with people, and avoid sky-is-falling scare tactics,” Porter told the Post. “I think the reason that people should vote for me is they think I’m doing a good job. And I think that’s why people have been donating, as well.”

Porter said the resources would be allocated toward media marketing to hold her competitive seat for the 45th District. Other funds will be given to her PAC, Truth to Power, and donations to 28 Democratic candidates who have endorsed her since the start of this campaign cycle.

The California representative has said she would consider seeking to work for former Vice President Joe Biden’s administration should he win the November election.

“I will always at least consider, if not say yes, to anything I could do to help solve the problems that are facing America,” said Porter in August.

If Biden wins, his victory would also leave an empty seat in the Senate, where his vice presidential running mate Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) currently serves.

Porter could be on Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s shortlist for Harris’s Senate seat, among other potential contenders such as Democratic California Reps. Karen Bass and Adam Schiff.

“I’m taking on a new role with the [Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee] DCCC here in the next couple weeks, helping to get other front-liners and other freshmen [to] just step up and contribute,” Porter said.

Porter added, “We really are a team, and we need to act like it, and not just in terms of writing checks, but in terms of engaging with each other on fundraising, encouraging each other, and introducing each other to people living in conversation and events.”