{"id":2637182,"date":"2026-07-29T10:54:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-29T14:54:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ro-khanna-praises-formidable-josh-shapiro-in-pennsylvania\/"},"modified":"2026-07-29T10:57:40","modified_gmt":"2026-07-29T14:57:40","slug":"ro-khanna-praises-formidable-josh-shapiro-in-pennsylvania","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ro-khanna-praises-formidable-josh-shapiro-in-pennsylvania\/","title":{"rendered":"Ro Khanna praises \u2018formidable\u2019 Josh Shapiro in Pennsylvania"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fro-khanna-praises-formidable-josh-shapiro-in-pennsylvania%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2637182&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) praised Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro (D-PA), viewing him as a potential formidable rival in a 2028 presidential race. Khanna, representing Silicon Valley, is reportedly preparing for a presidential bid in 2028, positioning himself against other Democrats like Shapiro. During his Pennsylvania visit, Khanna expressed a strong relationship with shapiro, sharing similar backgrounds, and discussed his broader political views, including advocating for &#8220;economic patriotism.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>khanna also commented on teh Democratic primary process,expressing satisfaction with the recent primary calendar decisions,and voiced confidence in DNC Chair Ken Martin amid fundraising concerns. Additionally, he highlighted the importance of grassroots movements and party infrastructure. Khanna spoke positively about Vice president JD Vance, emphasizing his respect for Vance&#8217;s background and potential as a candidate.<\/p>\n<p>An advocate for progressive candidates, Khanna has supported more left-leaning Democrats, sometimes clashing with more centrist party members like Sen. John Fetterman. Despite the intraparty differences, Khanna avoided direct criticism, rather emphasizing a focus on positive vision and broad coalitions, aligning with his FDR-inspired ideology that supports socialists within a capitalist framework. Khanna&#8217;s activities and statements indicate his strategic positioning for a future presidential run and his focus on progressive and grassroots Democratic politics.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>PHILADELPHIA \u2013 <\/strong>Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ro-khanna\/\">Ro Khanna<\/a> (D-CA) had nothing but praise for Gov. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/josh-shapiro\/\">Josh Shapiro<\/a> (D-PA) as he kicked off a weeklong barnstorm of Pennsylvania on Tuesday, predicting he would be a \u201cformidable\u201d rival should both men choose to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/2028-elections\/\">run for president in 2028<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI have a great relationship with Gov. Shapiro,\u201d Khanna told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> after delivering a speech in downtown Philadelphia, noting the two had similar upbringings in the suburbs of Pennsylvania and that his parents are \u201cfans.\u201d<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/presidential\/4667008\/ro-khanna-formidable-josh-shapiro-fetterman-pennsylvania\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Ro Khanna calls Josh Shapiro \u2018formidable,\u2019 avoids Fetterman criticism in swing through Pennsylvania<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/presidential\/4662775\/new-hampshire-bucks-dnc-first-2028-primary\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>New Hampshire Democrats buck DNC, say state will still hold first 2028 primary<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/presidential\/4662067\/dnc-south-carolina-first-state-2028-election-primary-calendar\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>DNC panel advances South Carolina as first state in the 2028 primary calendar<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Khanna represents Silicon Valley as a fifth-term congressman from California, but he returned to his home state over the recess to deliver a series of speeches focused on his vision of \u201ceconomic patriotism.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The trip is the latest sign that Khanna is preparing for a presidential run in 2028, a decision that would pit him against a crowded primary field that could include Shapiro. The governor has sidestepped 2028 speculation as he runs for reelection in November but is ideologically at odds with Khanna, a progressive Democrat, and represents the more pragmatic wing of the party.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Khanna\u2019s speech at a library in Philadelphia on Tuesday night followed an event with Chris Rabb, a firebrand House nominee whom Shapiro <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.axios.com\/2026\/05\/10\/aoc-josh-shapiro-midterms-presidential-race\">reportedly<\/a> opposed in the May primary. The two also have diverging views on Israel,\u00a0with Khanna calling the civilian deaths in Gaza a \u201cgenocide.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the interview, Khanna revealed that Shapiro \u201cvery graciously\u201d called him after he returned from a trip to the West Bank where he was detained by settlers earlier this month.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4650686\/2028-campaign-cash-tracker\/\"><strong>2028 CAMPAIGN CASH TRACKER: OSSOFF, AOC, KHANNA STACK BIG MONEY<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Khanna said that he would not make any decision on 2028 until sometime after the Thanksgiving holiday, although he told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> he was pleased with the primary calendar approved by the Democratic National Committee last week, judging that the selection of early states like South Carolina would not give any particular candidate an advantage.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI felt they were very fair in how they handled that entire process, and have come up with six pretty good states,\u201d Khanna said.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He also expressed confidence in DNC chairman Ken Martin, joining House Minority Leader <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/hakeem-jeffries\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"790\">Hakeem Jeffries<\/a> (D-NY) and others who are attempting to quell Democratic unrest over Martin\u2019s financial stewardship of the organization ahead of the midterm elections.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI think we could bring in people to help,\u201d Khanna said of the DNC\u2019s anemic fundraising, adding that he would use a speech at the DNC\u2019s summer meeting in August to reiterate his support for Martin.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe outraised Donald Trump in both elections. We lost,\u201d Khanna said. \u201cI think what\u2019s more important is building a grassroots movement, building a strong state party infrastructure, county party infrastructure.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When addressing the possible 2028 field, Khanna also had praise for Vice President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/jd-vance\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"7658\">JD Vance<\/a> and urged Democrats not to \u201cunderestimate\u201d him.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019ve known JD Vance for over a decade. He\u2019s a Marine. He\u2019s married up in life,\u201d Khanna said, adding that he, too, would be \u201cformidable\u201d as a candidate. \u201cI have a lot of respect for his wife, Usha, and he understood the pain of the industrialized communities and is a very smart person, and it would be foolish for any Democrat to underestimate him.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His comments come as the Democratic Party debates the best way to regain a foothold of power in Washington.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-26\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Khanna has aggressively endorsed progressive candidates, breaking with party leaders who have attempted to push primary voters toward Democrats who fit more firmly within the mainstream.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the case of Maine, Khanna\u2019s strategy has invited blowback after Senate nominee Graham Platner withdrew from the race amid sexual assault allegations earlier this month. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Elsewhere, his endorsement record is a mix of wins and losses. Khanna acknowledged that the Senate race in Michigan will be close but predicted that Abdul el Sayed, his favored candidate, is \u201cgoing to pull it out\u201d in next week\u2019s Democratic primary.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI think his race was really important, but I don\u2019t view any one race as indicative of the future,\u201d Khanna said. \u201cI think that the point is, there\u2019s a lot of energy for anti-establishment, progressive candidates around the country, and we\u2019re having a lot of wins.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The intraparty fight has put Khanna at odds with another Pennsylvania colleague, Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA): a centrist who has frequently sparred with the candidates Khanna is supporting and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/RNCResearch\/status\/2082118610323951622?s=20\">said<\/a> Monday that the Left needs to do a better job of \u201cpolicing\u201d its ranks.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Khanna avoided criticizing Fetterman directly in the interview, noting that the two have \u201chad drinks\u201d together and emphasizing that he wanted to focus on \u201carticulating a positive vision.\u201d He did draw an ideological contrast, however.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4662364\/tom-barrett-trump-iran-michigan-house\/\"><strong>TOM BARRETT GETS COMBATIVE WITH BREAK FROM TRUMP ON IRAN<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019m an FDR Democrat. I\u2019m for a broad coalition,\u201d Khanna said in response to Fetterman, who has taken particular aim at the Democratic Socialists of America in recent days.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cFDR had explicit socialists in his coalition in the New Deal, but \u2026 he was obviously someone who believed in free enterprise,\u201d Khanna added. \u201cI think John thinks that I certainly belong in the party.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Khanna praises Shapiro, predicts 2028 rivalry<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2651,"featured_media":2637183,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AP26192670872469_1208be-e1785304465276.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[37061,5836,5894,8705,32530],"class_list":["post-2637182","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-josh-shapiro","tag-pennsylvania","tag-politics","tag-praise","tag-ro-khanna"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AP26192670872469_1208be-e1785304465276.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2637182","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2651"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2637182"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2637182\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2637186,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2637182\/revisions\/2637186"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2637183"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2637182"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2637182"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2637182"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}