SF Chronicle: Ro Khanna Goes After Mike Honda’s Party Base

Challenger Ro Khanna has successfully maneuvered in the race for Congress in California’s 17th Congressional District to block eight-time incumbent Mike Honda from automatically receiving the party’s endorsement, reports the San Francisco Chronicle.
 
That means Honda is one of just three California congressman who must fight to win the endorsement.
 
Honda has had strong party support, and his list of endorsement in his reelection bid includes Democratic leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi, state Democratic Chair John Burton, and numerous congressional representatives including Zoe Lofgren, Barbara Lee, Jerry McNerney, Ami Bera and Jared Huffman.
 
The fact that 24 of the 17th Congressional District’s 87 delegates signed a petition to block Honda from receiving an automatic party endorsement is a surprise to some.
 
Khanna spokesman Hari Sevugan calls it “a breach in Honda’s firewall.”
 
Does a party endorsement make a difference? It provides a candidate a wealth of support including money and backing to help the candidate get out the vote.
 
California’s 17th Congressional District is the only district in the lower 48 states to be majority Asian American.
 
You can read about what Honda must do to win the party’s endorsement and whether his efforts are really worth the prize in the San Francisco Chronicle.