Democratic California Gov. candidate Katie Porter inadvertently revealed the real reason leftist politicians are pushing for sanctuary cities.
Porter let the mask slip during Tuesday night’s gubernatorial debate and admitted that illegal immigration is one of “the only ways [California] has been growing in recent years,” seemingly embracing the replacement of American residents with foreigners. Notably, the deep blue state has welcomed illegals to the tune of millions while an estimated 10 million California residents have fled the state in the last decade.
“It’s the job of the California governor to protect every single Californian,” Porter said. “The sanctuary state policy is designed to make sure that our state resources, the taxpayer dollars, the public servants that we have, are focusing on doing their jobs, which is not cooperating with the federal immigration authorities.” (RELATED: Katie Porter’s New Ad Gets Voters To Admit Democrat Leadership Failed Them)
“These are Californians,” Porter said of illegal immigrants. “They contribute to our economy, they pay taxes, and they’re one of the only ways our state has been growing in recent years.”
🚨 BUSTED: Katie Porter accidentally ADMITS California’s population growth is being driven by illegal immigration:
“They’re one of the only ways that our state has been growing in recent years!” pic.twitter.com/M3nI7nYLM0
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) May 6, 2026
Porter is one of many candidates vying to succeed Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom. She is one of eight Democrats running for the coveted role, but her past tenure in the House of Representatives doesn’t seem to be helping her odds in the overcrowded primary. (RELATED: Eric Swalwell Suspends Gubernatorial Campaign)
Porter is polling at 9% as of publication, putting the former representative at 5th place behind two other Democrats and both Republican candidates, according to RealClearPolling averages. Porter’s poll numbers have barely changed despite former Democratic California Rep. Eric Swalwell’s alleged sex scandal, causing the once formidable candidate to drop out of the race and resign from Congress altogether.