Khanna Allies Form Committee to Encourage a 2028 Presidential Bid

Supporters of Rep. Ro Khanna are creating a draft committee to prepare for a possible presidential campaign in 2028, the group’s leaders told NBC News. The California Democrat has openly expressed presidential ambitions but has not decided whether to enter the race.

The committee, called Run Ro, is co-chaired by former Rep. Jamaal Bowman of New York and progressive strategist Nomiki Konst. It can collect donations and organize backing for Khanna while he considers his next step. Konst said starting now would help ensure that progressive populist ideas shape the coming presidential primary debate.

The effort follows a midterm election that gave Democrats control of both chambers of Congress and delivered victories to several prominent progressives. It also reflects a search on the party’s left for a candidate who could occupy the political space held by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders during the Democratic presidential nomination contests in 2016 and 2020.

Khanna served as a co-chair of Sanders’ 2020 presidential campaign and has support among progressives nationwide. For months, he has visited states that vote early in the presidential primary process. Many of his congressional colleagues expect him to run. Now in his fifth House term, he has drawn attention for bipartisan work seeking the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files and an end to the war in Iran.

A presidential bid would nevertheless face substantial obstacles. James Garfield, an Ohio Republican elected in 1880, remains the only person elected president directly from the House. Khanna also has a lower profile than another House progressive considering a bid, New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. She has not announced whether she will pursue the presidency, seek a New York Senate seat or stay in the House.

Bowman, who was closely allied with Ocasio-Cortez in Congress, expressed affection for her while explaining his support for Khanna. He pointed to Khanna’s work ethic, humility and vision as qualities needed at this moment.

In a statement to NBC News, Khanna welcomed the encouragement and identified Medicare for All, ending foreign wars and taxing billionaires as elements of the platform supporters want him to pursue. He said he would consult his family after the holidays before choosing whether to run or back another candidate.

Konst said the committee’s early organizing would help Khanna avoid falling behind if he enters the contest. She argued that centrists prepare well in advance, lining up donors, consultants and leaders, and that progressives should begin mobilizing without waiting for political circumstances to settle. No candidate has entered the race for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination.