Progressive allies of Rep. Ro Khanna have launched a committee to build support for a possible 2028 presidential bid, seeking an early foothold in the Democratic primary after the party’s midterm victories. The effort, called “Run Ro,” will raise money and organize supporters while the California congressman considers whether to enter the race.
Former Rep. Jamaal Bowman of New York and progressive strategist Nomiki Konst are co-chairing the committee. Its formation comes as Democrats prepare to take control of both chambers of Congress, with several prominent progressives among the newly elected lawmakers, and the party’s left looks for a candidate to carry forward the agenda Sen. Bernie Sanders advanced in his two presidential campaigns.
“By launching now, we are trying to ensure that the presidential primary debate is framed from a progressive populist perspective,” Konst told NBC News. The committee hopes to establish an organizing base before the field takes shape, giving Khanna supporters a head start if he decides to run.
Khanna, whose district includes parts of Silicon Valley, co-chaired Sanders’ 2020 presidential campaign and has spent recent months visiting early primary and caucus states. He has openly expressed interest in a national campaign, and numerous Democratic colleagues expect him to enter the contest, though he said he would make that decision with his family after the holidays.
“I’m honored that people are encouraging me to run on a platform of Medicare for All, ending foreign wars and taxing the billionaires,” Khanna said. “We need America’s Next New Deal. Whether I run or support someone else is something I will decide with my family after the holidays.”
Now in his fifth term, Khanna has drawn attention for bipartisan efforts to secure the full release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein and for his push to end U.S. involvement in the war in Iran. A presidential campaign would nevertheless require an unusual leap from the House. Only one sitting House member, Ohio Republican James Garfield in 1880, has been elected directly to the presidency.
Khanna also would enter the contest with a lower national profile than fellow House progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York. She has not indicated whether she will run for president, pursue a Senate seat or remain in the House, leaving open a question that could help shape the progressive field.
“She is my sister, and I love her,” Bowman said of Ocasio-Cortez, a close ally during his time in Congress. “Ro Khanna has shown the work ethic, the humility and the vision that we need in this moment.”
Konst said the committee’s early launch reflects lessons from previous Democratic primaries, when progressive candidates faced opponents with established donor and political networks. Organizing now, she argued, would allow supporters to begin building a campaign infrastructure before Khanna reaches a decision.
“The centrists organize and strategize early,” she said. “They have their donors, corporate consultants and leaders lined up for years. Building off the lessons of past primaries, our goal is to channel the progressive energy into a vessel for organizing and spreading our winning message early, as we can’t wait for the politics to line up.”
No Democrat has formally entered the 2028 presidential nominating contest.
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