Democracy for America endorses Rep. Ro Khanna for reelection

Democracy for America (DFA) today endorsed Rep. Ro Khanna in his bid for reelection in California’s 17th congressional district.

This is the first time that DFA has endorsed Congressman Khanna.  In 2014 and 2016, DFA was a fierce opponent of Khanna’s efforts to unseat Mike Honda, a progressive leader in the U.S. House.  In fact, DFA opposed Khanna so ferociously in 2014 that he explicitly referenced the group in his concession statement.

However, over his first year in Congress, Khanna has not only been a critical progressive leader in the fight against Donald Trump bigoted agenda, but a bonafide champion in the battle to create a Democratic Party steadfastly committed to inclusive populist priorities like Medicare-for-all, free college, and comprehensive immigration reform.

DFA Executive Director Charles Chamberlain on the grassroots organization’s strong support for Khanna’s reelection:

“Democracy for America fiercely opposed Ro Khanna in his races for Congress in 2014 and 2016, because we weren’t convinced he’d be the progressive champion our country needed and voters in California’s 17th Congressional District deserved to have follow in the footsteps of Rep. Mike Honda.

“However, over his first year in office, Ro Khanna hasn’t just been a stalwart champion for big, bold inclusive populist priorities like Medicare-for-all, free college, and comprehensive immigration reform; he’s been a leading advocate for a Democratic Party that recruits, supports, and represents the New American Majority voters progressives need to flip control of Congress in 2018.  

“From his work supporting candidates across the country who share our progressive values to his efforts to steel Democrats backbone in the DACA fight, Ro Khanna has proven himself to be precisely the kind of leader progressives need in Congress.  

“Since he took office in 2017, we’ve seen Ro Khanna become a critical partner in the fight for an inclusive populist agenda, and DFA’s one million members nationwide are looking forward to helping ensure that’s a role he can continue to play in Congress for years to come.” -- Charles Chamberlain, Executive Director, Democracy for America

Rep. Ro Khanna on DFA’s endorsement:

"I am honored to receive DFA’s endorsement who represent the future of our party. From opposing the war in Iraq to tackling income inequality, DFA has always led with conviction. I appreciate that the organization sets a high bar before endorsing candidates. They want to make sure elected officials walk the walk and have not only a progressive voting record but stand up for bold, progressive policies. They want to be certain that politicians will not betray the hopes and aspirations of their 1 million members. I understand the extraordinary trust DFA has placed in me. I will work my heart out in the years ahead to be worthy of it.” -- Rep. Ro Khanna, California’s 17th Congressional District

DFA has more than 238,000 members in the state of California -- including 3,241 in the 17th Congressional District --  and more than one million members nationwide.  

Khanna is just the third house incumbent DFA has backed in the 2018 cycle.  Late last year, the group endorsed the reelection efforts of Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-7) and Pramila Jayapal (WA-7).

Democracy for America is a member-driven, people-powered progressive PAC with more than one million members nationwide committed to taking on income inequality, money in politics, and structural racism. Since its 2004 founding, DFA members have raised and contributed more than $54 million and made more than 21.9 million volunteer calls to help successfully elect 917 progressive candidates nationwide.