**Rep. Katie Porter Defends Vote on Controversial Proposition 36 in California**

In a recent appearance on CNN, Representative Katie Porter articulated her reasoning for voting in favor of Proposition 36, a divisive California ballot measure aimed at increasing penalties for certain retail theft and drug possession offenses. Despite her reservations about the measure, which has split top Democrats, Porter emphasized the need to equip law enforcement and businesses with better tools to combat retail crimes.

"I support the increased penalties for retail crimes. That's a problem here," Porter told CNN's Brianna Keilar, underscoring the necessity of enhanced measures. She did, however, express concern about the drug-related aspects of the measure, noting that incarcerating individuals for substance use is costly for taxpayers and ineffective in fostering rehabilitation.

The backdrop to Porter's comments involves a broader political context, with California Governor Gavin Newsom opposing Proposition 36 and Vice President Kamala Harris choosing not to disclose her vote on the measure. Porter tactfully avoided directly addressing Harris' stance, instead stressing the importance of honesty and respect towards voters.

Porter’s political aspirations also came into focus during the interview as she weighs a potential run for governor in 2026. She remains optimistic about State Senator Dave Min securing her House seat, which she vacated for an unsuccessful Senate campaign. Highlighting the protracted nature of California's vote-counting process, Porter reassured viewers about Min's prospects, based on her own experiences in previous elections.

The Congresswoman asserted that Democrats still have a tangible chance at maintaining control of the House, despite Republicans being favored to retain the chamber with several races still undecided. She emphasized that close contests are a critical reminder for Congress members to address the pressing challenges faced by American families.

Porter believes that the party which articulates a compelling economic message will have a significant advantage in future elections. Reflecting on the recent political climate, she criticized the Democratic approach to countering President-elect Donald Trump, arguing that the focus on democratic integrity failed to adequately connect with voters' everyday economic concerns.

In her perspective, local and state candidates had greater success in communicating how political decisions impact daily lives, a strategy she believes needs to be adopted more broadly by Democrats to regain political ground.