Ro Khanna Says Primary Results Reflect Economic Frustration, Calls For Party Reform

India-West News Desk

WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) said the recent wave of progressive victories in Democratic House primaries reflects growing voter frustration with the economy and signals the need for his party to reconnect with working-class Americans.

His comments came after several progressive and democratic socialist candidates defeated incumbent Democrats in recent House primaries.

Speaking on Fox News on August 2, Khanna said voters are primarily focused on rising living costs and economic insecurity. ‘People are upset at an unfair political and economic system. They can’t afford gas, they can’t afford food, young people can’t afford to buy a home or get a job,’ Khanna said.

While identifying himself as a progressive, Khanna argued that the primary results should be viewed as a call for reform rather than evidence that the Democratic Party is moving toward extremism.

‘The Democratic Party needs reform. This is a party that hasn’t delivered enough for working-class Americans,’ he said. He said Democrats should return to the economic priorities championed by former President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

He added that reform would be beneficial if it focused on helping “ordinary Americans who have been shafted in the current economy.”