Flashback - CA Dem Governor hopeful (shoe-in until 2 days ago) Katie Porter is the same Democrat who "won" / turned Blue the long-standing Republican Orange County in Southern California in 2018 as a U.S. House representative. It was fishy then, and even more so now that her true colors are on full display.
2024 article including Porter's surprise "win" in deep Red Orange County win 2018
Once Bright-Red Orange County Could Help Turn Congress Blue
"With progressive Rep. Katie Porter gone, her coastal California district is considered critical to the fate of a divided House.
Article - October 14, 2024
By Alicia A. Caldwell
"The battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives could well lie in what was once the most unlikely of places: Southern California’s Orange County.
"For decades, Orange County and the surrounding area functioned as a firewall for Republicans, a reliable bastion of conservative votes nearly guaranteed to produce a handful of GOP U.S. House members.
"But thatred wall behind the “Orange Curtain” fell in 2018, frustrating Republicans and delighting Democrats who seemed to have finally gained a footholdin a region known for its coastal wealth and affinity for well-known conservatives, from John Wayne to former President Ronald Reagan.
… ==In 2018, [democrats] took EVERY congressional seat in Orange County. And every election cycle has been moving to go blue and and bluer."
…"One of [OC Republican's] biggest targets is apossible flip [back] of the 47th Congressional District,a seat being vacated by noted progressive Democratic Rep. Katie Porter,who mounted an unsuccessful effort to fill the late Dianne Feinstein’s U.S. Senate seat. [She lost to Shifty Schiff and then accused Democrats of rigging the election!!!] https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2924-03-19/porter-apologizes-for-saying-senate-primary-was-rigged
[Context - this is a 2024 article, not current.]
… "Republicans now control Congress, though by only a handful of seats, making the races for the 47th District and neighboring districts critical.
"In the 47th District, Democratic state Sen. Dave Min is set to face Republican Scott Baugh, an attorney and one-time California Assembly minority leader. Baugh first ran for the seat in 2022 after it was redrawn as part of decennial redistricting, becoming more conservative after Newport Beach and most of Huntington Beach were added to the district.
…"In 2022, Baugh wasvastly outspent by Porter — about $28 million to $3 million— and lost by roughly 9,000 votes.
"So far this time around, Baugh has raised about $2.9 million to Min’s $3.6 million, according to the nonprofit Open Secrets, which tracks campaign donations…. [Democrat Min won.]
…The 47th [was] held by achampion, Katie Porter, and we will keep that with Dave Min,” [Dem] Briceño said. “The path to the majority runs through Orange County, and the 47th is key to it.”==
…
“After [20]18, [when Katie Porter won a House of Representatives seat in red Orange County,] there was a lot of doom and gloom, a lot of [Republicans] wondering …What just happened?”he said. “…
…
"Porter was first elected in 2018, but redistricting in 2022 left her scrambling to hold onto her Democrat-heavy Irvine community, along with more conservative coastal areas, including Huntington Beach.
"The 47th District has gained considerable national attention with control of the GOP-led House likely to come down to just a few seats. …
"For some voters in the area,Porter’s reelection in the newly drawn district was a surprise they would prefer not to see repeat itself.
…
“I’m not a ‘Trumper’ or a ‘Never Trumper,’ but if the Dems win … “It’s going to be a problem …The Democrats are a machine, not necessarily a party.”
"…Coons said he supports[Republican] U.S. Rep. Michelle Steele, a two-term congresswoman and Republican who won the redrawn seat in the nearby 45th in 2022,…
"Across the region in recent years, voters have routinely split their votes, with some supporting former President Donald Trump while at the same time voting for Democratic House members.
[which makes zero sense. What else might explain it?]
…
"Of Porter’s reelection in a district that included the conservative-leaning city, Einhorn said “she’s a really smart lady” who won over people from both sides of the aisle."
cough cough
… "In the nearby 45th Congressional District, Steele is aiming for reelection in an area that Biden won in 2020. That race is considered a toss-up by the Cook Political Report. [Republican Steele won.]
…
https://capitalandmain.com/once-bright-red-orange-county-could-help-turn-congress-blue