Katie Porter Secures Another Major Labor Endorsement From Orange County Employees Association

Organized Labor Unites Behind Katie Porter’s Plan to Put Working Californians First—Not Wealthy Corporations

Today, the Orange County Employees Association (OCEA) endorsed former Congresswoman Katie Porter’s campaign for California Governor. OCEA, one of the largest independent public sector unions in the state with over 18,000 members, is Porter’s seventh major labor endorsement—the most out of any candidate in the race for Governor. 

“The Orange County Employees Association (OCEA) proudly endorses Katie Porter for Governor,” said Leti Guerrero, OCEA president. “By backing Katie, we are choosing a Governor who will put working families at the center of the conversation. Katie doesn’t just tell people what they want to hear—she brings the receipts. She has been a fierce advocate for workers here in Orange County, and she will bring that same tenacity to the Governor’s office to fight for all Californians. As the people who keep our county running, our neighborhoods safe, and our public services accessible, OCEA members know that we need a leader who speaks truth to power and fights on our behalf. Katie is that leader.”

OCEA voted to back Katie because of her record delivering for California workers and families. Democrats around the state are rallying behind her as the only candidate with a real, progressive track record and a vision to shake up the status quo in California. Katie has proposed a number of bold ideas to make California more affordable and stand up to Donald Trump’s attacks, including single payer health care, free child care for all, zero tuition at UCs and CSUs, and less expensive housing.

“OCEA members keep one of California’s largest counties running, delivering essential public services, keeping our communities safe, and supporting our local economy,” said Katie Porter. “Our incredible public servants deserve to be able to make ends meet, afford to buy a home and raise a family, and trust that the benefits they’ve worked hard to earn will be waiting for them when they retire. As Governor, I will drive down costs, fight for working families, and stand up to the Trump Administration’s attacks on Californians.” 

Katie Porter has the momentum as the leading Democrat in the race for California Governor. A recent poll, the first with the current field of candidates, showed Katie with 14% of the vote, leading other Democrats by a significant margin. When voters heard just one simple message about Katie’s record taking on Trump and vision for lowering costs, her support soared to 22%—overtaking the two Republicans in the race as well. 

Katie’s grassroots coalition is the largest in the race and continues to expand as voters tune into the election. OCEA joins a growing group of unions supporting Katie’s campaign, including: IBEW Local 441, National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW), Teamsters California, United Auto Workers (UAW), Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), and Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transit Workers Union (SMART). Senator Elizabeth Warren, Rep. Dave Min, Rep. Derek Tran, and other major groups like EMILYs List, Elect Democratic Women, Fund Her, California Women’s List, and Vote Mama PAC are backing Porter too. 

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