Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna has left open the possibility of launching a bid for the US presidency in 2028, saying the decision would ultimately rest with his family while affirming his intention to be deeply involved in shaping the Democratic Party's direction. Khanna made the remarks on 27 September 2026 during a wide-ranging discussion at the Asia Society in New York, in conversation with former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.

What Khanna Said About His Candidacy

When Rudd pressed him directly on whether he was considering a White House run, Khanna acknowledged that roughly 20 Democrats were weighing the contest and that perhaps 10 or 12 would ultimately enter the race. 'It's a family decision,' he said. 'Whether I decide to run or support someone who runs, I'm gonna be very involved in the conversation.' He cautioned that running in a crowded field meant most candidates were certain to lose, framing a potential campaign as a calculated risk rather than an impulsive ambition.

The Economic Argument at the Heart of His Pitch

Khanna argued that Democrats would struggle in 2028 without a credible economic programme targeted at communities that had lost industrial jobs. He said voters needed to see a tangible future for themselves and their children before appeals to national ideals would carry force. He connected that argument to the immigration debate, contending that politicians had wrongly blamed immigrants for factory closures and failed economic policies. A sounder response, he said, would be to attract investment and jobs to regions that felt excluded from the gains of the new technology economy. Khanna represents a California district encompassing part of Silicon Valley, giving him credibility on both the technology and the workers-left-behind sides of that argument.

Family History and Political Roots

Khanna traced his political instincts to a family history of resistance under colonial rule. His grandfather, he said, was jailed by the British during the 1930s and 1940s for participation in Mahatma Gandhi's independence movement. Born in Philadelphia to parents who had immigrated from India, Khanna said he developed an early sense that politics could change lives. As a student in Chicago, he knocked on doors for a state Senate candidate who would later become President Barack Obama — a connection he cited to illustrate the long odds that can accompany early political bets. He advised young people hoping to work for a future president to identify a promising candidate at the local or state level today, rather than waiting for fame to arrive.

Foreign Policy, AI and the 'Diverse Democracy' Frame

Beyond economic policy, Khanna called for a US foreign policy capable of rebuilding trust with other nations, a stronger role for workers in decisions surrounding artificial intelligence, and a reaffirmation of America's identity as a country strengthened by people of different histories. He described the 2028 election as a choice between embracing a diverse society and turning inward — language that previews how he might position himself if he enters the race. Much of the Asia Society discussion also covered US-China relations, immigration policy, and the broader direction of American technology governance.

The Road Ahead

The next US presidential election is scheduled for November 2028. No formal announcement has been made, and Khanna's remarks stopped well short of a declaration of candidacy. Nonetheless, his decision to speak publicly about a potential run — and to lay out a detailed economic and foreign-policy vision — signals that he is actively positioning himself ahead of what is expected to be a wide-open Democratic primary. How the party resolves its internal debate over economic populism versus cultural liberalism is likely to define which type of candidate ultimately prevails.