50 Facts About Katie Porter

Early Life and Education

Katie Porter’s journey began in the heartland of America. Her early experiences shaped her commitment to public service and consumer advocacy.

1. Birth and Early Life: Katie Porter was born on January 3, 1974, in Fort Dodge, Iowa. She grew up on a farm in southern Iowa, where her father, Dan Porter, was a farmer and banker, and her mother, Liz, was a founder of Fons & Porter's Love of Quilting.

2. Education: Porter attended Phillips Academy before moving on to Yale University, where she majored in American studies and graduated in 1996. Her undergraduate thesis was titled The Effects of Corporate Farming on Rural Community.

3. Postgraduate Education: After Yale, Porter attended Harvard Law School, where she was the notes editor for the Harvard Women's Law Journal. She graduated with a J.D. in 2001.

Early Career and Academic Contributions

Katie Porter’s early career was marked by significant contributions to law and consumer protection, setting the stage for her future political endeavors.

4. Career Beginnings: Porter began her career as a law clerk for Judge Richard S. Arnold of the United States Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit in Little Rock, Arkansas.

5. Law Practice: She practiced law with the firm of Stoel Rives LLP in Portland, Oregon, and was the project director for the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges' Business Bankruptcy Project.

6. Academic Career: Porter was an associate professor of law at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Law. She later joined the faculty of the University of Iowa College of Law as an associate professor in 2005 and became a full professor there in 2011.

7. Tenure at UC Irvine: In 2011, Porter became a tenured professor at the University of California, Irvine School of Law, where she taught bankruptcy law and continued her advocacy for consumer rights.

Consumer Protection and Advocacy

Porter’s dedication to consumer protection has been a cornerstone of her career, influencing significant legislative changes and protections.

8. Consumer Protection Work: Before entering politics, Porter worked extensively in consumer protection. She helped Congress pass the original Credit CARD Act in 2009, which enacted federal protections from abusive credit card fees.

9. State Department of Justice: From 2012 to 2014, Porter served as a California Monitor in the Office of the Attorney General, California Department of Justice, overseeing big banks that had cheated Orange County homeowners.

10. Teaching and Research: Porter has been a visiting professor at Harvard University and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She has also authored publications on modern consumer law.

11. Awards and Recognition: Porter has received several awards for her work, including the Action Award from the College of Law Practice Management in 2013 and the Champion of Consumer Rights from the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys in 2012.

Political Career and Achievements

Katie Porter’s political career has been marked by her relentless pursuit of justice and accountability, making her a standout figure in Congress.

12. Political Career: Porter entered politics in 2018, running for the U.S. House of Representatives in California's 45th congressional district.

13. Historic Election: In the 2018 elections, Porter defeated two-term incumbent Republican Mimi Walters, becoming the first Democrat to represent the 45th district or its predecessors since its creation in 1953.

14. Democratic Wave: Her election was part of a historic wave for Democrats in Orange County, which saw them flip four seats centered in the county, resulting in Democratic control of all seven seats in the county.

15. Non-Hispanic Democrats: Porter and Harley Rouda, also elected in 2018, were the first non-Hispanic Democrats to represent Orange County-based districts since Jerry M. Patterson left office in 1985.

16. Campaign Finance: Porter did not accept corporate PAC money in her bid for Congress and was endorsed by End Citizens United, a political action committee seeking to overturn the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission.

17. Legislative Priorities: Porter has cited an overhaul of campaign finance laws and protection of voting rights as legislative priorities.

18. Reelection in 2020: In 2020, Porter ran for reelection to a second term and advanced from the top-two primary in first place. She faced off against Republican Mission Viejo Mayor Greg Raths in the general election and won with 53.5% of the vote.

19. Redistricting and 2022 Election: Following redistricting, Porter was reelected in California's 47th congressional district in 2022, defeating Republican nominee Scott Baugh with 51.6% of the vote.

20. Senate Candidacy: In 2023, Porter announced her candidacy for the U.S. Senate but failed to advance from the nonpartisan primary, finishing third behind Adam Schiff and Steve Garvey.

Committee Work and Legislative Impact

Porter’s work on various committees has led to significant legislative changes, showcasing her commitment to transparency and accountability.

21. Committee Appointments: Porter is a member of several key committees, including the House Oversight Committee, the Joint Economic Committee, and the House Natural Resources Committee.

22. Oversight Committee: As a member of the House Oversight Committee, Porter has asked tough questions of bank CEOs and administration officials to hold them accountable to the American people.

23. Natural Resources Committee: On the House Natural Resources Committee, Porter works tirelessly to protect our beaches and public lands, call out Big Oil taking advantage of taxpayers, and keep families safe from wildfires and other natural disasters.

24. Joint Economic Committee: As a member of the bicameral Joint Economic Committee, Porter is a leading voice on keeping our economy strong, stable, and globally competitive by cracking down on corporate greed, boosting competition, and investing in smart, family-friendly policies.

25. Whiteboard Advocacy: Porter has developed a reputation for using visual aids during Congressional hearings. She famously brought out a whiteboard while grilling the CEO of JP Morgan Chase, Jamie Dimon, over how an entry-level employee at his bank couldn’t make ends meet.

26. COVID-19 Testing: Porter used her signature whiteboard to break down potential cost barriers to COVID-19 tests, which helped her secure a commitment from the Trump Administration to make testing free for every American.

27. Big Pharma Debunking: Porter’s congressional questioning has helped push Congress towards real, concrete solutions. She received widespread praise after using her whiteboard to debunk propaganda spread by Big Pharma on why the industry charges so much for drugs.

28. Legislation Impact: Porter’s legislation to crack down on Big Pharma’s unfair price hikes was signed into law, effective January 1, 2023. She has also authored new laws to boost accountability in government, raise fees on polluters, improve mental health coverage, make healthcare more affordable, and honor an Orange County hero.

Personal Life and Community Engagement

Katie Porter’s personal experiences as a single mother and community advocate have deeply influenced her political priorities and actions.

29. Family and Personal Life: Porter is a single working mom of three school-aged kids. She lives with her family in Irvine, California, and is an Anglican/Episcopal.

30. Bipartisan Legislation: As a single working mom, Porter knows firsthand about the challenges that families face. She’s introduced bipartisan legislation that would more than double the amount families can set aside pre-tax to help pay for preschool, summer day camp, before or after school programs, and child or adult daycare.

31. SALT Deduction: Porter has continued to press for restoring more of the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction, which has hit California’s middle-class families especially hard.

32. Democracy and Transparency: Porter believes our democracy and government should reflect the people of America and serve their needs, not special interests or corporate donors. As a progressive, she’s a leader in the fight to protect taxpayers and crack down on waste, fraud, and abuse.

33. Transparency in Government: In Congress, she’s a key voice for ending political corruption, increasing government transparency, and holding leaders of both parties accountable. She’s matched her commitment to transparency with concrete action by hosting regular town halls and publicly posting a list of meetings she takes.

34. Special Interests: Before coming to Congress, Porter spent nearly two decades taking on the special interests that dominate American politics and drowning out the voices of working families—and winning.

35. Consumer Advocate: A lifelong consumer advocate, Porter taught bankruptcy law at the University of California, Irvine School of Law. As California’s independent watchdog against the banks, she oversaw big banks that had cheated Orange County homeowners to get them to follow through on their promise to help families get back on their feet.

Legislative Contributions and Recognitions

Porter’s legislative contributions and recognitions highlight her dedication to consumer rights and government accountability.

36. Credit CARD Act: As a consumer finance expert, Congresswoman Porter helped Congress pass the original Credit CARD Act in 2009, which enacted federal protections from abusive credit card fees.

37. House Committees: Porter is a member of several committees, including the Committee on Oversight and Reform, the Joint Economic Committee, and the House Natural Resources Committee.

38. Subcommittee Roles: She serves on various subcommittees such as the Subcommittee on Federal Lands, the Subcommittee on National Security, and the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries.

39. Former Committee Roles: Porter has also served on the Committee on Financial Services and was the former Chair of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.

40. Former Subcommittee Roles: She was formerly a member of the House Oversight Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce and the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Financial Institutions.

41. Professorship: Porter is currently a professor of law at the University of California at Irvine, a position she has held since 2011.

42. Clerkship and Law Practice: Before her academic career, Porter served as a law clerk for Judge Richard S. Arnold and practiced law with Stoel Rivers Limited Liability Partnership.

43. Visiting Professorships: She has also held visiting professorships at Harvard University and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

44. Publications and Research: Porter has authored publications on modern consumer law and continues to contribute to research in her field.

45. Awards and Recognition: Her work has been recognized with several awards, including the Action Award from the College of Law Practice Management and the Champion of Consumer Rights from the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys.

Community and Legislative Engagement

Porter’s engagement with her community and her legislative efforts reflect her commitment to transparency and accountability.

46. Political Ads and Campaigns: During her campaigns, Porter has run several political ads focusing on issues like homeownership, healthcare, and corporate accountability.

47. Home District Representation: As the representative for California’s 47th congressional district, Porter has been committed to putting families first and speaking truth to power.

48. Committee Work Impact: Her work on various committees has led to significant legislative changes, including laws aimed at cracking down on Big Pharma’s unfair price hikes and boosting accountability in government.

49. Community Engagement: Porter is known for her community engagement, hosting regular town halls and publicly posting a list of meetings she takes to ensure transparency in her work.

50. Legacy and Future Plans: Despite her recent Senate candidacy, Porter remains committed to her work in the House of Representatives, continuing to advocate for consumer rights and family-friendly policies.

Katie Porter's Impact and Legacy

Katie Porter has made waves in politics and consumer protection. From her early days on a farm in Iowa to her role as a U.S. Representative, she's shown a fierce commitment to transparency and accountability. Her use of a whiteboard during Congressional hearings has become iconic, highlighting her knack for breaking down complex issues. Porter's work on the Credit CARD Act and her efforts to make COVID-19 testing free showcase her dedication to consumer rights. Despite not advancing in her Senate bid, she continues to serve California's 47th district with passion. Her focus on family-friendly policies, government transparency, and holding big corporations accountable makes her a standout figure. Katie Porter remains a powerful advocate for the people, ensuring their voices are heard in the halls of Congress. Her legacy as a consumer champion and progressive leader will inspire future generations.