Porter should withdraw

Editor,

In March, I contributed to Katie Porter’s campaign for governor of California. Her positions to reduce inequality and to favor single payer health care, as well as her refusal to take campaign contributions from corporations, made her my first choice. Unfortunately, the latest polls show Porter in fifth place behind Hilton, Becerra, Steyer and Bianco. The probability that Katie Porter will come from behind to win one of the top two spots seems remote. This weekend, I emailed Katie Porter, urging her to withdraw from the race. If Californians for Porter who have not yet voted will cast their ballot for Steyer, we will have a much better chance of electing a governor who will improve the lives of most Californians. Xavier Becerra remains confused about the difference between Medicare and single-payer healthcare.  He touts his experience in federal and state offices, yet under his leadership the Department of Health and Human Services released thousands of migrant children without adequate protection of their safety. He also failed to keep track of a dormant campaign account as it was being stolen by one of his advisors and his chief of staff. Those failures do not speak well for his managerial skills as governor. Tom Steyer has been unequivocal in his support for taxing billionaires and for single payer health care and affordable housing. Katie Porter’s withdrawal could go a long way to ensuring Tom Steyer will be in one of the top two slots.