Khanna Allies Launch Draft Campaign for 2028 Presidential Bid
Former Rep. Jamaal Bowman and progressive strategist Nomiki Konst are leading the “Run Ro” committee, which can raise money and organize support while Khanna considers a campaign. The California Democrat said he would make a decision with his family after the holidays, and welcomed supporters’ efforts to promote a platform including single-payer health care, halting overseas wars and taxing billionaires.
The launch follows midterm elections in which Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress. Progressive organizers are seeking a candidate to carry the movement’s message into the next presidential contest. Konst said the group wants to begin organizing early, arguing that centrists have long-established donor and political networks.
Khanna, a fifth-term representative and co-chair of Bernie Sanders’ 2020 campaign, has visited early-primary states and has been viewed by colleagues as a likely candidate. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is also weighing her political future, but has not said whether she will pursue the presidency, a Senate seat or another House term. No one has entered the 2028 Democratic presidential race.
Progressives Organize Early Around Khanna’s New Deal Agenda
Progressives are moving to shape the next Democratic presidential contest before established political networks set the terms. Former Rep. Jamaal Bowman and strategist Nomiki Konst are leading a committee that can raise money and organize around Rep. Ro Khanna as he considers a 2028 run.
Khanna has welcomed the effort and pointed to single-payer health care, halting overseas wars and taxing billionaires as elements of the agenda supporters want him to champion. He says he will decide with his family after the holidays. The committee’s early start reflects Konst’s argument that progressives cannot wait while centrists build their donor and leadership networks.
The opening comes after Democrats won both chambers in the midterms, creating an opportunity for the party’s left to press its case. Khanna, a former co-chair of Bernie Sanders’ 2020 campaign, has visited early-primary states. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is another potential figure, though she has not chosen among a presidential bid, a Senate run or staying in the House. No Democrat has formally entered the 2028 race.
Democrats’ Progressive Wing Starts Organizing Around Khanna
The Democratic left is already building a presidential campaign infrastructure around Rep. Ro Khanna, even though he has yet to decide whether to run. Former Rep. Jamaal Bowman and strategist Nomiki Konst are leading a committee that can raise money and organize support for the California congressman.
Khanna has endorsed the group’s effort and highlighted single-payer health care, halting overseas wars and taxing billionaires as themes of a possible campaign. He says he will make his decision with his family after the holidays. Konst says progressives need to organize early, pointing to the established donor and political networks of centrist Democrats.
The effort follows Democrats’ midterm wins in both chambers and comes as the party considers who should lead it after President Donald Trump. Khanna, a fifth-term representative who co-chaired Bernie Sanders’ 2020 campaign, has traveled to early-primary states. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has not disclosed whether she might run for president, seek a Senate seat or remain in the House. The 2028 Democratic field has no declared candidates.
Reported by NBC News, The Washington Examiner, The Daily Beast.
