Who's In the Race

California's 17th District features Democratic incumbent Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) and Republican challenger Ritesh Tandon in the Nov. 3 general election. ​

Khanna has represented the district since 2017, previously serving as deputy assistant secretary of commerce in the Obama administration and earning a law degree from Yale University. In the June 2 top-two primary, Khanna took about 62% of the vote, while Tandon finished second with about 15%. Tandon is an engineer and business leader who says he has lived in the Bay Area for 26 years, holding a master's degree in computer science and an MBA from Santa Clara University.

What They Stand For

Khanna has proposed creating a single-payer health care system through Medicare for All, according to his official House website. He's also supported advancing American manufacturing and nationwide investment in high-tech apprenticeships and worker training, legislation to spur a clean energy economy and protect air and water; and a campaign agenda he describes as "taxing billionaires, good jobs in every town, and no foreign wars."

Tandon has identified the safety and security of every American as a priority, according to his campaign website. He also supports secure borders and legal immigration, and lower health-care and prescription-drug costs, including reduced out-of-pocket expenses for families and seniors.

The Money Behind the Race

Ro Khanna has taken in about $13.8 million in total receipts as of June 30, and had about $16.9 million in cash on hand. Tandon had total receipts of about $37,653 and cash on hand of about $891 as of June 30.

Outside spending in the race totaled about $75,418 as of Oct. 13, with the largest share coming from Viable PAC, which spent $75,000. The PAC opposed Khanna with $37,500 and supported a primary candidate, Ethan Agarwal, with $37,500.

Race Outlook: Ratings and Betting Markets

The Cook Political Report rated the race Solid Democratic as of Oct. 9; Sabato's Crystal Ball rated it Solid Democratic as of Oct. 11; and Inside Elections rated it Solid Democratic as of Oct. 2. On Kalshi, traders gave Democrats a 96.2% chance of winning as of Oct. 13.

The district's voting history explains the predictions. Khanna won the district with about 71% in 2022 and about 68% in 2024 while statewide, Democrats held a majority of California's U.S. House delegation in both cycles, winning 40 of 52 seats in 2022 and 43 of 52 in 2024. In the 2024 presidential race, Democrat Kamala Harris carried California with about 58% of the vote.

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