Is California ready for a governor with a temper hotter than a Sacramento summer? Katie Porter, a contender in the upcoming 2026 gubernatorial primary, faces sharp criticism from her ex-husband, Matthew Hoffman, who paints a troubling picture of her personal conduct and leadership style.
From a bitter divorce marked by mutual accusations to public outbursts caught on camera, Porter's journey as a politician is now shadowed by Hoffman’s claims and recent incidents that question her suitability for higher office.
Let’s rewind to the early days of their story. Hoffman and Porter were married for a decade before a contentious split in 2013, a divorce Hoffman describes as “awful” and one that still lingers in his life despite moving to Portland, Oregon, for a quieter existence as a compliance specialist.
During their marriage, Hoffman alleges a pattern of verbal and physical confrontations. Court documents reveal claims of Porter shattering a glass coffee pot over kitchen disputes and even dumping hot mashed potatoes on his head in 2006 after criticizing his cooking—incidents that paint a volatile domestic scene.
Mutual accusations of abuse flew during the divorce, with both filing restraining orders. Hoffman himself was arrested after a fight involving a broken light switch, though no charges of wrongdoing were ultimately filed by police, and co-parenting arrangements for their three children were settled.
Now, Hoffman rarely speaks to Porter, only engaging when she “wants something” related to parenting, as he puts it. The distance between Portland and Southern California makes in-person time with his kids—two sons and a daughter, the youngest living with Porter—challenging, though FaceTime keeps them connected.
Fast forward to Porter’s political career, where she’s built a narrative of resilience as a single mom, a drum Hoffman says she “loves to bang.” But behind the image of grit and hope lies a different story, one Hoffman argues shows a “master manipulator” unfit for leadership (Matthew Hoffman).
Porter’s public outbursts don’t help her case. In a 2021 Zoom call, she was caught on a hot mic snapping, “Get out of my f—ing shot” at a staff member, a moment Hoffman says is just the tip of the iceberg (Katie Porter).
Then there’s the clash with CBS journalist Julie Watts, where Porter bristled at a question about appealing to certain voter bases, calling the reporter “unnecessarily argumentative” and nearly walking out. Hoffman called it a “softball question” she could have handled with grace, yet she chose confrontation instead (Matthew Hoffman).
Porter’s political track record isn’t spotless either. After a significant loss in the California Senate primary, finishing third behind Adam Schiff and Steve Garvey, she controversially claimed the election was “rigged”—a statement she later walked back under scrutiny.
Hoffman doesn’t hold back on her political relationships either, noting she struggles to get along with prominent figures like Nancy Pelosi and Adam Schiff. If she can’t build bridges within her own party, how can she govern a state as diverse and complex as California?
Her campaign platform promises “a little bit of hope and a whole lot of grit,” but skeptics might wonder if that grit comes with a side of unnecessary friction. The question remains whether voters will see her tenacity as a strength or a liability.
While Hoffman’s critique carries the weight of personal history, it’s worth noting Porter’s campaign spokesperson, Peter Opitz, insists the ex-spouses maintain a “positive and productive relationship” as co-parents. Still, Hoffman’s accounts of high staff turnover and harsh words behind closed doors raise eyebrows about what’s beneath the polished image.
As California looks toward the 2026 primary, Porter’s past and present will undoubtedly be dissected. Voters deserve leaders who can keep their cool under pressure, not just in public but in private battles too, and Hoffman’s revelations add a layer of doubt to her candidacy that can’t be easily dismissed.
