The Story:
People in the progressive wing of the Democratic Party are considering Ro Khanna as a possible candidate for President of the United States. The scenario they have in mind is one in which Biden, who will turn 80 later this year, decides not to run for re-election in 2024.
Background:
Rep. Ro Khanna (D – Calif.) represents California’s 17th district, in the San Francisco Bay area. He is currently serving in his third term in that position.
Khanna is 45 years old, so a serious candidacy would be a generational break given the ages of Biden, Trump, Clinton, Sanders, and other recent serious contenders for the Oval Office.
Jeff Weaver, former presidential campaign manager for Sen. Bernie Sanders (I – Vt) is among those who have urged Khanna to consider a 2024 campaign if Biden is not running, according to a Politico report based on anonymous sources.
The Thing to Know:Â
The 17th district covers much of the area conventionally dubbed “Silicon Valley,” the home of hi-tech start-ups and the venture capitalists who finance them. That may well be an asset: a progressive candidate in 2024 will have an edge over others of that ilk if he can show that he can draw support from successful entrepreneurs.
