Scoop: Ro Khanna backs challengers to three fellow House Dems
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Rep. Ro Khanna speaks to reporters during a rally in San Francisco, Calif., on Oct. 3. Photo: Jason Henry/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) is endorsing a trio of insurgent Democratic candidates who are challenging his fellow California House Democrats, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: This is an aggressive move by a potential 2028 presidential contender who styles himself as one of the few Democrats willing to get into direct confrontations with the party establishment.
- He has backed members of the progressive "Bloc" who have refused to commit to voting for Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) as speaker.
- This is territory where even other high-profile House progressives — including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), another potential 2028er — have largely refused to tread.
Driving the news: "Today I'm endorsing three new generation leaders Angela Gonzales-Torres, Eric Jones, and Mai Vang," Khanna said in a statement first shared with Axios.
- Gonzales-Torres, a former local elected official challenging Rep. Jimmy Gomez, "will join us in our fight against corruption, to stand up for survivors, and to lead with a moral vision," Khanna said.
- Khanna said he has known Jones — a venture capitalist running against Rep. Mike Thompson — "for many years," calling him "a change agent who understands the working class and building a better life for those left out."
- Vang, a Sacramento City Council member running against Rep. Doris Matsui, "will call out the genocide in Gaza, be for taxing billionaires, and stand for Medicare for All and the working class," Khanna said.
Between the lines: Khanna said he has a "tremendous respect and admiration," for Thompson, 75, who has been in office since 1999. "But voters are crying out for change."
- Khanna said of Matsui, 82, who has held her seat since 2005: "I respect Doris Matsui's incredible service to our state and nation. This is the time to pass the baton."
- Jones is 35. Vang is 41.
- Khanna did not reference Gomez, who is under investigation by the House Ethics Committee over allegations of sexual misconduct. Gomez has admitted to "personal mistakes outside my marriage," but said his actions were "consensual" and denied breaking House rules.
Asked about potential backlash from his colleagues for endorsing against fellow Democratic incumbents, Khanna said in a brief interview with Axios, "I think we need a new politics in this country, and we need a new party."
- "I've always been a reformer and independent-minded, that's what I believe," he added.
The other side: A spokesperson for Gomez's campaign told Axios, "Instead of some Silicon Valley politician, the people of Los Angeles care a lot more about what Planned Parenthood thinks, what local teachers, nurses, and unions think – and they all support Jimmy Gomez."
- Said Thomas Dowling, a spokesperson for Thompson: "San Francisco venture capitalist Eric Jones and his Silicon Valley supporters are trying to buy our congressional seat, but it's not for sale. Mike's support comes from the people who actually live here."
- Matsui's campaign manager Bill Wong told Axios: "Voters in our district care about real results. Doris Matsui delivers. That's why the local teachers, firefighters, nurses, and women's and environmental organizations who see those results up close are standing with her."
The intrigue: Khanna previously endorsed Thompson this cycle, which the latter congressman touted on social media as recently as May.
- The Thompson campaign even sent out a text to supporters, the content of which was shared with Axios, that reads: "This is Ro Khanna. I endorsed Mike Thompson for CA-4."
- Asked about the apparent discrepancy, Khanna told Axios: "I wanted to endorse [Gonzales]-Torres and then Mai Vang ... and I just thought, 'it's time for new blood,' and wanted to endorse Eric Jones."
- "I think very highly of Mike. I had, with the delegation, endorsed him earlier, so it's nothing against him. I just think it's a new generation and we're seeing bolder progressives win across the country," he added.
Catch up quick: Matsui, Thompson and Gomez are each locked in Democrat vs. Democrat general elections with their rivals.
- All candidates ran in a single jungle primary in June, with the top two finishers — regardless of party — moving to the Nov. 3 general election.
- That means, unlike the rest of their colleagues who faced primary challenges, the trio will have to wait a little longer to find out if they will be returning to Capitol Hill next January.
State of play: Jones and Gonzales-Torres both finished second in their respective primaries, while Vang narrowly came out ahead of Matsui.
- Polls have shown Jones leading Thompson and Gonzales-Torres essentially tied with Gomez.
- A senior House Democrat, speaking on the condition of anonymity to offer candid thoughts on Matsui's reelection, said party leaders "think she is gone" next Congress.
