Outgoing Rep. Katie Porter has found herself at the center of a disturbing legal battle, having recently obtained a temporary restraining order against her ex-boyfriend, Julian Willis. According to court documents, Porter accuses Willis of conducting months of relentless abuse and harassment, which included over 1,000 messages directed at her, her family, and staff members. Following the end of their relationship in late August, Willis allegedly escalated his behaviors to the point where Porter felt significant fear for her personal safety.
Porter's petition for the restraining order, which she filed with the Orange County Superior Court, outlines what she describes as persistent harassment and threats. Among the troubling allegations, she claims Willis threatened to contact Child Protective Services with the intent of having her children removed from her custody, attempted extortion for thousands of dollars, and disseminated defamatory false claims about her. These falsehoods included one particularly damaging allegation: Porter had genital herpes. Porter has submitted medical test results to the court to confirm she does not have the STD.
The legal request was granted by the court on Tuesday, with the judge ordering Willis to cease all contact with Porter and her children, as well as prohibiting him from communicating with any of Porter’s current or former staff. The court, though, denied her request for restraining orders protecting other adults, such as her mother, citing the need for them to separately file their petitions.
Reflecting on the emotional toll of the situation, Porter stated the harassment has caused her to live with constant anxiety over her safety. “This is a very unfortunate situation,” she remarked. “Mr. Willis has suffered from well-documented mental health and substance abuse issues.” Indeed, Porter noted her awareness of his substance misuse, claiming he has been involuntarily hospitalized for psychiatric evaluations twice since 2022.
Porter described witnessing Willis misuse prescription painkillers, abusing cannabis and nicotine patches, and previously disclosing to her his experiences with cocaine and nitrous oxide. These troubling admissions have made her increasingly concerned for her well-being since she initiated the breakup.
Willis, for his part, has countered Porter’s assertions, alleging her motives are to prevent him from defending himself or seeking his own protective order as he claims she has been violent toward him and children. “This is her way of combating all of this,” he asserted, expressing his anger and labeling Porter as “a monster.”
The legal proceedings come at the close of Porter’s term as she prepares to return to academic life at the University of California, Irvine, after losing her bid for Senate earlier this year. Nevertheless, Porter remains active within the political sphere, having campaigned for fellow Democrats up until the end of her term and expressing intentions to run for governor of California as soon as the opportunity arises.
Porter’s allegations reveal not only the personal struggles she faces but also the potential risks to her career and public image. She detailed how Willis has reached out to reporters, attempting to share damaging information about her. This could pose significant threats, as her public reputation is central to her career as a political figure. "He has already contacted at least three reporters to disseminate false and damaging information about me and my children," she wrote, emphasizing the severity of his actions.
Among the other communications cited during court proceedings, one email to her son referenced the tightening of the noose around Porter's neck, implying significant harm could come to her. Willis is said to have texted threats asserting he would “bring the hammer down on Katie and smash her and her life,” underscoring the menacing tone of his messages. These communications, which are part of the court filing, include dozens of examples of his harassment.
The legal restrictions now placed on Willis require him to observe at least 100 yards of distance from Porter, her children, and her workplace until their next court hearing, scheduled for mid-December. Porter’s decision to seek legal recourse highlights not only the seriousness of her situation but also serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges many face when dealing with abusive relationships.
Though the future is uncertain, both legally and politically, Katie Porter remains resilient. She’s shown determination to stand against not just personal but also public threats. Walking away from such suffocative circumstances, she’s gearing up to transition back to sharing her voice and perspective as she prepares for her return to the classroom, hopeful for her political future.