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Ro Khanna teases Oval Office run
Khanna entertained the possibility of running on the twin pillars of economy and anti-colonialism.
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Staff Reporter - Thu, 09, Apr 2026
- 01:44 EDT
- 18
Congressman Ro Khanna / X/@RepRoKhanna
Rep. Ro Khanna reacted to the prospect of a 2028 presidential bid in a conversation with civil rights leader Al Sharpton at the National Action Network’s annual convention in New York on April 8.
When Sharpton asked Khanna if he is considering the prospect of running for president, Khanna responded by saying: "Will you be my running mate?"
The response that started off with lighthearted humor quickly turned serious as Khanna stated that his priority is ensuring that the current minority leader of the U.S. House of Representatives, Hakeem Jeffries, is sworn in as the speaker of the House and also entertained the possibility of presidential bid for two reasons.
ALSO READ: Palpable energy to replace Ro Khanna says Indian American challenger
Explaining why his run for the Oval Office is a possibility, he said, “I represent the economic future, and I have a clear roadmap of how we’re going to make sure every part of this country has an economic stake in the future.”
Elaborating his plan, he continued, “Whether that is workers having equity, whether it is the Black South being part of the AI revolution, whether it is making sure that families actually have economic independence with health care and child care, I have a comprehensive economic vision, and I believe that people need an economic vision.”
Highlighting the second reason for his run, Khanna paid a gentle ode to his roots. He said, “I fundamentally believe because of my grandfather that we need to move beyond a colonial model of the world.” Khanna has previously accused Trump of colonialism and said on social media, “At our best, America fights wars of liberation, not conquest. We are not the Roman or British Empire engaged in colonialism. We defeated Nazism and authoritarian communism. Trump is betraying our values.”
Khanna, a Democratic U.S. congressman representing California’s 17th District in Silicon Valley since 2017, is a prominent progressive voice known for advocating economic patriotism, restoring American manufacturing, ending endless wars, and pushing policies like Medicare for All and technology-driven job creation.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom and former Vice President Kamala Harris are currently viewed as the top potential Democratic contenders for the 2028 presidential race, though neither has formally committed to running. Rep. Ro Khanna is among several other Democrats who have kept the door open for a bid, including Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro.
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