Rep. Ro Khanna Decides Not to Run for Senate and Endorses Barbara Lee Instead

Rep. Ro Khanna confirmed Sunday that he will not join the packed field of California Democrats vying for Dianne Feinstein’s Senate seat, instead choosing to endorse a fellow progressive in the race.

Congressman representing Silicon Valley announced his decision remain in the House on CNN’s “State of the Union,” after much anticipation over whether Khanna, 46, would become the latest Democrat to run for the seat to be vacated next year by Feinstein, 89, who will retire after a decades-long career in public office.

“I have come to the conclusion that, despite the great enthusiasm of the people (for Senator Bernie Sanders), the best place, the most exciting place, the place of action, the right place for me to serve as a progressive is the House of Representatives, and I am honored to co-chair (Rep.) Barbara Lee’s campaign for Senate and endorse her today,” Khanna said. “We need a strong peace senator, and she will fill that role.”

Lee, a longtime California progressive in the House, announced his candidacy for the Senate last month. If elected, she would be the only black woman in the upper house, after Vice President Kamala Harris vacated her California Senate seat for her current position.

Lee’s announcement came after House Democrats Adam Schiff and Katie Porter launched their campaign for the same seat, both announcing their candidacy before Feinstein even confirmed his withdrawal.

Khanna said that while he respects Schiff and Porter, Lee “is a unique voice.” The congressman highlighted Lee’s record of voting against the war, especially in 2001, when he gained national attention for being the only member of Congress to vote against the invasion of Afghanistan.

“She was the only vote against the endless war in Afghanistan. She stood up so strongly against the war in Iraq. She worked with me to try to stop the war in Yemen and the resolution of the war powers,” she said.

“And frankly, Jake, representation matters. We don’t have a single African American woman in the United States Senate. She would fulfill that role. She will be the only candidate from Northern California and I think she will consolidate a lot of progressives,” Khanna continued. “The other two are formidable candidates, but I think Barbara Lee is going to be very, very strong.”