Ro Khanna Says Democrats Need Fewer Schumers And More Progressives

NEW YORK, NY – Congressman Ro Khanna has criticized the Democratic Party’s leadership, declaring himself “a New Deal Democrat, not a Chuck Schumer Democrat” and calling for a party less beholden to big donors.

“I am a New Deal Democrat, not a Chuck Schumer Democrat,” Khanna (D-CA), posted on social media. “I’m in Florida campaigning with @AngieNixon because we need a Democratic Party that is not beholden to the donor class,” he said. “That means more Angie Nixons in this party and fewer Chuck Schumers to lead the way forward,” Khanna added.

Schumer, a Democrat from New York, is the party’s leader in the US Senate. Nixon is a progressive Democrat serving in the Florida legislature.

Khanna did not specify any policy differences with Schumer in the post. However, he has increasingly positioned himself as a voice of the party’s progressive and populist wing, criticizing corporate and big-donor influence in politics.

His remarks come as Democrats campaign ahead of the November 3 midterm elections and debate the party’s direction following their 2024 election losses, with progressive lawmakers and activists calling for generational change.

The term “New Deal” refers to the economic programs introduced by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1930s, which expanded public works, Social Security and labor protections. Progressive Democrats have invoked the term to describe their economic agenda. (IANS)