Khanna argues economic concerns driving far-left primary victories

House Khanna argues economic concerns driving far-left primary victories Comments: by Max Rego - 08/02/26 11:00 AM ET Comments: Link copied by Max Rego - 08/02/26 11:00 AM ET Comments: Link copied

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Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) said Sunday that Americans’ economic concerns are driving the string of far-left victories in House Democratic primaries.

“People are upset at an unfair political and economic system. They can’t afford gas, they can’t afford food, young people can’t afford to buy a home or get a job,” Khanna told host Shannon Bream on “Fox News Sunday.”

A pair of upstart democratic socialists, Claire Valdez and Darializa Avila Chevalier, won primaries in New York City House districts in June — with the latter candidate defeating five-term Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.), the chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.

Progressive Brad Lander also defeated Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) in the Empire State’s 10th Congressional District, while democratic socialist Melat Kiros knocked off 15-term incumbent Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.) in late June.

Those candidates campaigned on populist economic positions, with the likes of Valdez and Avila Chevalier openly advocating against the American capitalist system. All four candidates have also frequently criticized the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza, arguing the U.S. should not finance the country’s military.

Khanna, a progressive who represents parts of the Bay Area, disputed the positions of the Democratic Socialists of America on borders and prisons, however.

“Of course we need borders. A nation needs borders, a nation needs secure borders,” the California Democrat told Bream.

“And of course we need prisons,” Khanna later remarked, while criticizing the jailing of individuals convicted of marijuana-related offenses.

But ultimately, Khanna argued the internal debate within his party could yield positive results — as Republicans claim the new hard-left nominees are proof that “communists” are taking over the Democratic Party.

“The Democratic Party needs reform. Look, this is a party that hasn’t delivered enough for working-class Americans,” Khanna said, citing the party’s support for the North American Free Trade Agreement and the integration of China into the World Trade Organization.

“What people are saying is we’ve got to get back toward FDR roots,” Khanna added, referring to former President Franklin D. Roosevelt. “We need to be a party that is for the working class.”

He later remarked, “I think a reform is good, as long as it is for ordinary Americans who have been shafted in the current economy.”

Add as preferred source on Google Tags Adriano Espaillat Daniel Goldman Diana DeGette Franklin D. Roosevelt Ro Khanna Shannon Bream

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