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Ro Khanna

Ro Khanna is an American politician and attorney serving as the U.S.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Ro Khanna is an American politician and attorney serving as the U.S. representative for California's 17th congressional district since 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served in the U.S. Department of Commerce under President Barack Obama and is known as a progressive voice in Congress.

Early life and education

Ro Khanna was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1976. His full name is Rohit Khanna. He attended the University of Chicago and later earned a law degree from Yale Law School.

Political career

Khanna first ran for Congress in 2014 and was elected in 2016, beginning his service in January 2017. He has represented California's 17th congressional district since then, having defeated incumbent Democrat Mike Honda in the general election.

Federal government service

Before entering Congress, Khanna served as deputy assistant secretary in the U.S. Department of Commerce from 2009 to 2011 during the Obama administration.

Political positions

House materials describe Khanna as a progressive voice focused on manufacturing, technology leadership, working people, climate, human rights, and diplomacy.

Key facts

  • Ro Khanna has represented California's 17th congressional district in the U.S. House since 2017.
  • He defeated incumbent Democrat Mike Honda in the 2016 general election after first running for the seat in 2014.
  • He served as deputy assistant secretary in the U.S. Department of Commerce under President Barack Obama from 2009 to 2011.
  • He is associated with progressive policy positions and represents a district in Silicon Valley.
  • He was born in Philadelphia in 1976 and is of Indian origin.
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Canadian context

Ro Khanna has relevance for Canadian readers through U.S. politics, technology policy, trade, and climate-related debates that can affect Canada–U.S. relations and the broader North American economy.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Ro Khanna?
Ro Khanna is an American Democratic politician and attorney who has represented California's 17th congressional district in the U.S. House since 2017.
What is Ro Khanna's full name?
His full name is Rohit Khanna, commonly known as Ro Khanna.
What district does Ro Khanna represent?
He represents California's 17th congressional district, which is in Silicon Valley.
When was Ro Khanna born?
He was born on September 13, 1976, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
What did Ro Khanna do before Congress?
Before Congress, he served as deputy assistant secretary in the U.S. Department of Commerce from 2009 to 2011.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ro_Khanna
    Supports: Birth name, birth date, political party, congressional service, and Obama-era Commerce Department role.
  2. U.S. House of Representatives — http://khanna.house.gov/about/about-rep-khanna
    Supports: Current district, term in office, and described policy priorities.
  3. Congress.gov — https://www.congress.gov/member/ro-khanna/K000389
    Supports: Official member profile, party, district, and service dates.
  4. Vote Smart — https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/biography/29473/ro-khanna
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, and election history.
  5. Ballotpedia — https://ballotpedia.org/Ro_Khanna
    Supports: Election history and service timeline.