After attending public schools in both Florida and Michigan, Porth graduated from Northeastern University and went to work for Senator Bob Graham as a legislative aide in Washington, D.C.

degree from Nova Southeastern University[2] and served as an Assistant State Attorney for Broward County from 1995 through 2012 where he tried juveniles and adults for crimes against property and person.

[2] Porth has held leadership roles and remains active in a number of civic and charitable organizations including the Associated Marine Institute at Ft. Lauderdale, the B'nai B'rith Justice Unit, Hatikvah House, and Children's Home Society.

He served District 96, which represented parts of Coral Springs, Tamarac, Lauderhill, Sunrise, and North Lauderdale in Broward County.

During the 2011 session, Porth worked on prison sentencing reform for nonviolent offenders (HB 917) and passed a bill authorizing Florida's first public boarding school for at risk youth and creating services for juveniles who have gone through the delinquency system (SB 404).