RO KHANNA LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN HEADQUARTERS IN FREMONT
FREMONT - Congressional candidate Ro Khanna, who is campaigning for Northern California’s District 17 seat in part of the Silicon Valley, officially opened his Fremont, Calif., headquarters May 28, noting that change has always happened when groups of people come together.
Speaking to a crowd of about 100 people gathered outside the new office – directly across the street from the 18th century Mission San Jose – Khanna told his audience his new office should “be their second home.”
“Something is off. Our institutions in Washington are broken,” asserted Khanna, who served in the Commerce Department of the Obama administration’s first term, noting that the atmosphere in Congress was “too polarized” for meaningful reform to occur. “People are not thinking about big ideas, about a competitive economy,” said Khanna, who is of counsel at the law firm Wilson Sonsoni Goodrich and Rosati, and also teaches at Stanford and Santa Clara University.
“There is an opportunity here to show that the grassroots currency of ideas matter, and that it is still possible for that ideal to exist,” said Khanna, 37.
“My task is for your heart and soul, to inspire people to believe in politics again and to change the political trajectory,” he said.
In a brief interview after the office opening celebration, Khanna told India-West: “We need a new generation that will be willing to work across the aisle and find common ground. I will be able to do that once elected, not having the scars of past battles or polarization.”
“All of the frustration in Washington just signals the need for change, and folks want new voices who will lead,” he asserted.
Khanna is challenging Rep. Mike Honda, who has served in Congress since 2001. Honda – chairman emeritus of the powerful Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus – has run without significant challenge in his last four races. Before Khanna announced his candidacy April 2, Honda had already received endorsements from President Barack Obama, House Minority leader Nancy Pelosi; California Senators Barbara Boxer and Diane Feinstein; California state Attorney General Kamala Harris; and Rep. Ami Bera.
Honda has also received the support of several Indian American congressional candidates, including former Kansas state Representative Raj Goyle; New Jersey state Assemblyman Upendru Chivukula; attorneys Ashwin Madia and Ravi Sangisetty; and physician Manan Trivedi.
Khanna released a list of local political supporters May 29, including Cupertino Mayor Orrin Mahoney, Milpitas Mayor Jose Esteves, Newark Mayor Emeritus David Smith, Cupertino city councilmember Rod Sinks, Milpitas city councilmembers Carmen Montano, Debbie Giordano and Althea Polansky; Fremont Vice-Mayor Anu Natarajan and Fremont city councilmember Raj Salwan.
“I am proud to endorse Ro Khanna for the United States Congress, a next generation leader for Silicon Valley,” said Milpita Mayor Esteves. “Ro will bring new energy to help attract businesses to Milpitas and to help prepare our students for the jobs of the 21st century. He truly understands the local needs of Milpitas, and I am impressed by his accessibility and grassroots campaign.”
“His message is resonating in Milpitas. Given that three of my city council colleagues are joining me in endorsing Ro's candidacy, it's clear that Ro is Milpitas's choice for the United States Congress,” said Esteves in a press statement.
Newark Mayor Smith praised Khanna for his “vision” for attracting more manufacturing companies and startups to Newark. Cupertino Mayor Mahoney said: “I am proud to support Ro Khanna because of his understanding of high tech issues and vision for creating jobs locally in a world of dynamic change.”
“Ro understands Cupertino's unique values of excellent education, parks and recreation, and responsive local government. I know he will partner with local leaders to help Cupertino remain a beacon for innovation and economic growth in the 21st century,” he said.
Khanna has also gathered some significant Indian American support. Democratic Party stalwart Kamil Hasan told India-West that he and his wife, entrepreneur Talat Hasan, are endorsing Khanna in his 2014 bid.
“We have been supporters of Congressman Honda in the past because he has been a good friend of our community. We really admire him and appreciate his contributions to the Asian American community,” said Hasan, a venture capitalist and at-large member of the Democratic National Committee.
But Hasan nevertheless stated his support for Khanna, saying, “It is time that both the high tech industry and South Asian community get an opportunity to have the kind of influence in Washington, DC that is proportional to our contributions to the economy.”
“Ro has very strong support from the high-tech community since he clearly understands the issues important to the high tech industry, and will be focusing on entrepreneurship and small business to help create jobs,” said Hasan, adding that Khanna’s stint with the Commerce Department and his work at Wilson Sonsini would provide him with the necessary background to serve the constituents of this district.
