Former Representative Katie Porter resorted to name-calling during a heated exchange at the California gubernatorial debate hosted by CNN Tuesday.

During the debate, her Republican counterparts, Steve Hilton and Sheriff Chad Bianco, criticized the former congresswoman for her temperament, referencing a resurfaced video from last year that showed her clashing with an employee.

“I can’t believe that, on a stage with 30 minutes of interrupting and bickering and name-calling and shouting and disrespect for everyone up here who’s stepping into public service, that anyone wants to talk about my temperament,” Porter said.

She then referred to Bianco, the sheriff of Riverside County, as a “cupcake.”

“You were actually interrupting them, too,” Bianco fired back. “I don’t know why you want to act like you weren’t.

“Steve and I sat here smiling at each other because we’re just watching you all prove to everyone why they can’t vote for a Democrat,” he added.

Porter then interrupted Bianco again, telling him to “cowboy up, cupcake,” and urging him to toughen up.

The former representative from Orange County faced criticism in October 2025 after a tense interview with CBS News reporter Julie Watts, during which she pushed back on questions about appealing to voters who supported President Donald Trump.

As the exchange grew heated, Porter raised her hands and said the questioning had become “unnecessarily argumentative,” adding, “I don’t want to keep doing this. I’m going to call it.”

The moment gained renewed attention alongside separate resurfaced footage showing Porter snapping at a staffer during a recorded meeting, telling them, “Get out of my f–king shot,” further fueling debate over her on-camera demeanor.

---

Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters