UAW Becomes First Major Union to Endorse Katie Porter for Governor of California

“A Bold Leader who will Restore California’s Promise for the Working Class”

LOS ANGELES, CA — Today, the United Auto Workers (UAW) Region 6, which represents over 100,000 workers in California, is proud to endorse Katie Porter for California Governor. In a time of massive wealth inequality and unprecedented attacks on working people, Katie Porter offers a bold vision for restoring California’s promise that’s rooted in the UAW and California’s proud tradition of collective action.

“Across California, working people are standing up to the billionaire class that has hoarded wealth and rigged our democracy,” said UAW International President Shawn Fain. “Katie Porter has stood shoulder to shoulder with us in that fight. She knows real change comes when workers have the freedom to organize and demand what they’re owed. Katie has had our backs and fights for policies that show which side she’s on. That’s why she’s earned our members’ endorsement. She’s committed to fighting for free speech, free assembly, and the freedom to form a union without being harassed or intimidated, because she knows that’s how workers win a better life.”

“California is known for being a beacon of democracy, progress, creativity, and inclusion,” said UAW Region 6 Director Mike Miller. “That didn’t happen by accident. It happened because working people across California—through unions, civic organizations, and social movements—built a society that valued workers and justice, and created shared prosperity for all. Katie Porter understands that history and the challenges that working families face, and she can help activate millions of people to take action and ensure families can share in California’s prosperity. She is a leader who can help restore California’s promise for the working class.”

“As workers and families struggle in the face of rising costs, a dire housing shortage, and a changing climate—all of which are made worse by Donald Trump and his cronies in Washington—California must once again lead the way,” said Porter. “I’m honored to earn the UAW’s endorsement and the support of workers all across California who share my vision for a more affordable and just state. Together, we’ll stand up to the endless attacks on California and chart a path forward that uplifts workers, families, and our economy.”

California has been a model for what a just and prosperous state could look like. From the Master Plan for Higher Education to a thriving industrial base in auto and aerospace manufacturing, to some of the strongest labor and civil rights movements in the country, California led the way in creating prosperity. But in recent years, growing inequality, a housing and cost of living crisis, and the retreat of public investment have made it harder for Californians to get by.

“As right-wing billionaires try to turn workers against each other, Katie Porter has consistently opposed offshoring jobs and supports creating a plan to attract good union manufacturing jobs to California,” said Henry Salazar, who works at Stellantis MOPAR in Ontario, California. “We look forward to working with her to build a worker-led plan to fight for a just transition, invest in good union manufacturing jobs, and expand apprenticeship programs to train the next generation of Californians to rebuild our manufacturing base.”

“Katie Porter is fearless, smart, and she puts working class people first,” said Carina Grove, Recording Secretary of UAW 1115, the union of over 6,000 state scientists. “She has committed to working together to end the gender pay gap across California’s civil service. She knows that the solution to our problems isn’t to abandon California’s legacy—it’s to build on it.”

“By attacking higher education and scientific research, Donald Trump is threatening our members’ livelihoods and the foundation of California’s economy,” said Rafael Jaime, the president of UAW 4811, which represents more than 48,000 workers across the University of California system. “We’re endorsing Katie Porter because she has a clear record on standing up for life-saving research, education and fair treatment of international workers. California’s workforce, institutions and economy are under attack, and we need a Governor who won’t give in.”

The UAW’s endorsement marks a major milestone in Porter’s grassroots campaign, signaling strong labor support for her vision to rebuild California as a place where the workers—not billionaires—set the agenda.