Katie Porter Takes New Stance HSR

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Katie Porter Takes a New Stance on California High-Speed Rail

In a recent interview with KTLA Inside California Politics, former Congresswoman Katie Porter announced her opposition to the current state of the California High-Speed Rail (HSR) system.

Porter's Shift on HSR

"Increasingly, the evidence is showing that this project is not going to be able to be completed remotely on budget or remotely on time. I think we’re already past those benchmarks," explained Porter.

"That’s why I don’t think we should BS California voters. They have noticed that we don’t have a high-speed rail. And they have noticed we’ve spent money on it.

"If this high-speed rail project can get done, then let’s get it done. If it can’t get done, then stop."

A Surprising Shift for a Democrat

Porter's new stance on HSR comes as a surprise, as she is the first major Democrat in the race to come outright against the high-speed rail system. This move puts her at odds with fellow Democrats, including former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Governor Gavin Newsom.

A Growing Trend Among Democrats

  1. Former Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has been a huge supporter of the system since inception.
  2. Governor Gavin Newsom named Villaraigosa his infrastructure advisor in 2022, overlooking some spending for numerous projects, including high-speed rail.
  3. Riverside County Sheriff and fellow candidate Chad Bianco is also against the project, calling it a waste of taxpayer funds.

A Unique Position for Porter

With Kamala Harris not running for Governor and Porter not dropping out as she promised to do if Harris did run, Porter would be the only Democrat holding such a stance. However, this could be a deciding factor for many if there are two Democrats in the June 2026 primary.

A Growing Concern About HSR

  1. The original estimate was $33 billion in 2008 with a San Francisco to Los Angeles line opening by 2028.
  2. The project has since ballooned to $128 billion, then $135 billion+, with an estimated partial completion in the late 2030s.
  3. President Trump announced an investigation into California's High Speed Rail Authority, citing concerns about the high cost of the program.

Read more about Katie Porter's stance on HSR at California Globe