Incumbent is clear choice for the 17th District voters
Rep. Ro Khanna, who has fulfilled his promise to be a strong voice for Silicon Valley and California’s 17th District in the House of Representatives, deserves re-election in the June 5 election.
It’s no surprise that, of the 56 new members who were seated in Congress in 2016, he was the one named the “Most Valuable House Newcomer” by The Nation magazine. Khanna, who represents portions of Santa Clara and Alameda counties, is smart, articulate and has a solid grasp of issues.
His work is so highly respected that Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi in April asked that he draft an “Internet Bill of Rights” for Congress to consider. It’s his ability to balance the needs of titans such as Google, Apple and Facebook with the privacy concerns of users that makes him stand out in Washington, where too many members of Congress have zero working knowledge of how the tech industry works.
Khanna hasn’t just excelled on tech. He worked with the FAA to alleviate Sunnyvale residents’ noise concerns about rerouting planes over residential areas. He has been involved with efforts in Milpitas and south Fremont to reduce the odors wafting from the Newby Island landfill. And he has held town halls in every city in the district.
In the upcoming election, Khanna faces a weak field of opponents: Democrats Khanh Tran and Stephen Forbes, Libertarian Kennita Watson and Republican Ron Cohen.
Tran declined to participate in our editorial board interviews. The president of the Alum Rock Union High School Board of Trustees is embroiled in controversy over the district’s legally questionable construction-management contracts with the Del Terra Group. Khan doesn’t deserve to be on the Alum Rock board, much less be considered for a congressional seat.
Forbes does not have anywhere near Khanna’s experience. And Watson’s strong libertarian views are not compatible with the vast majority of the district’s voters.
Cohen should appeal to 17th District Republicans who are avid supporters of President Donald Trump. Cohen aspires to join the House Freedom caucus, which is among the most conservative of House Republicans. He believes “if Trump keeps it up, he should be put on Mount Rushmore.” Enough said.
Khanna has proven that he is an able representative of the district’s interests and a force in Congress. His positions on the House Budget Committee and the House Armed Services Committee could make him an influential figure as he develops crucial seniority in Washington, especially if control of the House flips to Democrats.
We urge 17th District voters to back Khanna’s return to Congress.