Biography
Ro Khanna was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1976, to Indian immigrant parents. His father came from a family of freedom fighters in Punjab who participated in the Indian independence movement. He earned a BA in economics from the University of Chicago and a JD from Yale Law School in 2005, then worked as a law professor at Stanford and Santa Clara University and as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce under President Obama.
Khanna was first elected to Congress in 2016, defeating incumbent Mike Honda in the Democratic primary to represent California's 17th Congressional District — Silicon Valley, covering Fremont, Cupertino, and San Jose. He sits on the House Armed Services Committee and the Oversight Committee.
Khanna served as national co-chair of Bernie Sanders's 2020 presidential campaign — one of the most visible elected officials backing Sanders — and has been one of the most effective progressive legislators in Congress since. He has championed Medicare for All, breaking up Big Tech monopolies, ending U.S. military interventions abroad, paid family leave, and a Green New Deal. He has been a consistent critic of both corporate Democrats and the military-industrial complex.
In the 2026 cycle, Khanna has endorsed Randy Villegas (CA-22), Francesca Hong (Wisconsin governor), and many other progressive candidates, cementing his role as a key connector between the Bernie Sanders movement and the next generation of progressive leaders. He is often mentioned as a potential 2028 presidential candidate.
In Congress & 2026 Reelection
Khanna is running for his sixth term in CA-17, the heart of Silicon Valley — one of the wealthiest and most technology-dense districts in America. Despite representing a district full of tech billionaires, he has been one of the most vocal critics of Big Tech monopoly power and the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few.
His legislative agenda centers on creating an 'Economic Bill of Rights' — guaranteeing healthcare, education, housing, and a living wage to all Americans as a matter of right. He has also pushed for a ban on stock trading by members of Congress, withdrawal from the War Powers Act, and ending U.S. arms sales to authoritarian governments.
Khanna is one of the most active endorsers in the progressive movement, lending his credibility and network to candidates across the country. He has endorsed Francesca Hong, Randy Villegas, and others featured on this site.
In the press
- Wikipedia
- Ballotpedia