California 17th District
Ro Khanna (D) holds this seat and is running again. 2 candidates were on the ballot on November 3, 2026.
Who should win this race, and why?Say what you think. Other readers can answer you.Discuss
Ro Khanna
Democrat · holds this seat today
FLiberty Score FOn the liberty side in 30 of 121 votes and bills.
Raised $15,320,813 since January 2025: 93% from people, 7% transfers and other income. The filing at FEC.gov
Ritesh Tandon
Republican · san jose engineer and entrepreneur, uc berkeley research fellow
ALiberty Score A100 out of 100 across 5 principles. Graded on what Tandon has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for Tandon.
Raised $57,011 since January 2025: 100% from people. The filing at FEC.gov
Higher on Liberty Score: Ritesh Tandon. Ritesh Tandon: A, 100 out of 100 from words and actions, with no votes in Congress to count. Ro Khanna: F, 19 out of 100 from recorded votes.
Voting in California: how to register, vote early or vote by mail. Election Day was November 3.
Side by side
A solid letter is a grade from recorded votes on that principle. An outlined letter is on the same scale, for a candidate with no votes: it comes from what that candidate has said and done, and every source is listed below.
Ritesh Tandon, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Tandon, so the grade above comes from this list: what Tandon has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
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His campaign foreign policy page says Congress must not support a member he calls openly pro-Hamas.
“We must not support progressive Democrats like Rashida Tlaib, who is openly pro-Hamas.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing supporters of Hamas is with liberty on tyranny.
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His issues page says the United States has lost standing abroad after Afghanistan and Iraq and must earn back world leadership.
“World leadership position is not an entitlement. It must be earned.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
It names no position on Ukraine, Taiwan or NATO, so it does not settle the free nations test.
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His campaign foreign policy page says the US must help Israel defeat Hamas.
“We must help Israel get rid of the hateful Hamas and its supporters.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing Israel's right to defend itself against Hamas is with liberty on free nations.
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His campaign foreign policy page calls for continued funding of Ukraine and punishing countries that invade others.
“It is still not too late; we need to continue funding Ukraine and stop, or severely punish, countries like Russia for bullying and invading other countries.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing Ukraine against Russia is with liberty on free nations.
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His campaign site opposes a California billionaire wealth tax.
“Oppose a California billionaire wealth tax that risks driving investment, founders, and job creators out of the state.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Wealth taxes are against liberty on free markets, so opposing one is on the with side.
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His issues page calls for removing the cap on the state and local tax deduction.
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
A named federal tax cut is with liberty on free markets.
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On health care his issues page says America was built on choice and freedom, not socialism, and backs competition to bring costs down.
“America was built on choices and freedom for our people, not socialism!”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Saying no to socialism in health care is with liberty on free markets.
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His issues page opposes ACA 7, a California amendment he says would allow race-based preferences.
“I oppose ACA 7 and urge everyone to vote NO on ACA 7, which promotes race-based discrimination.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing race quotas is with liberty on equal rights.
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His issues page calls for admissions policies based on merit rather than race.
“We must champion policies that ensure fairness and equality, celebrating merit over race, and accomplishment over quota.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Rejecting race quotas is with liberty on equal rights.
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His campaign site calls for funding border security technology and physical barriers where needed.
“Fully fund modern border security technology, targeted physical barriers where needed, anti-cartel operations, and rapid processing teams so unlawful entry is deterred and legal entry is prioritized.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Securing the border with a barrier is with liberty on borders.
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His campaign site calls for ending catch and release and removing people whose asylum claims are denied.
“Set fast asylum adjudication timelines, expand immigration courts, require timely case resolution, and remove those with denied claims through lawful, humane, and efficient procedures.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Ending catch and release and deporting those with no right to stay are with liberty on borders.
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His issues page asks Congress to pass strict laws to stop illegal immigration and economic migrants.
“I would implore all voters to take this issue seriously and demand from Congress to pass strict laws to stop illegal immigration and economic migrants.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Enforcing the law against illegal entry is with liberty on borders.
Who is on the ballot: the state election offices, as listed on Wikipedia on November 3, 2026, checked against the candidate file of the Federal Election Commission. See a name that is wrong or missing? Say so in the discussion.
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Discussion
California 17th District
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