Katie Porter says she 'could've handled things better' in reaction to viral videos

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Katie Porter says she "could've handled things better" after a video showing her berating a staffer went viral.

Last week, a video surfaced of a 2021 interview showing her loudly berating an aide.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Porter, who's running for California governor, spoke out during a new interview, saying, "I want people to know that I really value the incredible work that my staff can do."

"I think people who know me know I can be tough. But I need to do a better job expressing appreciation for the amazing work my team does," Porter said.

Porter has since reportedly apologized to the staffer.

Testy exchange with reporter

Meantime, a segment of Porter's recent interview with Julie Watts, a CBS California reporter, also went viral. In the clip, Watts and Porter get into a testy back-and-forth discussion and Porter at one point says, "I don't want to keep doing this. I'm going to call it," clapping her hands.

Porter's campaign said the interview continued for 20 minutes after the tense exchange settled down.

Campaign spokesperson Peter Opitz said in a statement, "Californians are hungry for a governor ... they trust can fight for them against Trump."

"Katie is never going to be shy about calling out 'B.S.'," Opitz said.

Statements of support for Porter implied, sometimes indirectly, that the videos illustrated a well-known aspect of her style - she's known to display a tough, even if sometimes blunt, personality.

"Katie Porter is a fighter," Democratic U.S. Rep. Dave Min, who holds Porter's former Orange County seat, said in a statement. "She would make a great governor."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.