Rep. Ro Khanna said Democrats need to rethink their political strategy after the party’s 2024 election loss, arguing that working-class voters were failed by a system that many Democratic candidates were unwilling to challenge.
Khanna made the comments during an appearance on “Meet the Press,” where he discussed a newly released Democratic National Committee review of the party’s 2024 defeat.
The California Democrat said the party must recognize that the status quo has failed many Americans.
He argued that the economy has become unfair and unequal, especially for working-class and middle-class voters who feel left behind.
TRENDING TODAY
According to Khanna, Democrats have too often supported establishment candidates who were unwilling to challenge what he called a rigged economic and political system.
Khanna responded to part of the DNC report that said Democrats focused too much on “winning arguments,” while Republicans focused on “winning elections.”
He rejected the idea that Democrats should abandon reasoned debate, but said the party needs a clearer economic message that connects with voters facing financial pressure.
Khanna said Democrats must speak directly to working-class Americans who feel they have been “shafted” by the current system.
He also reflected on former Vice President Kamala Harris and the report’s conclusion that the White House did not do enough to improve her political standing before Democrats changed nominees.
Khanna said Democrats may have performed better if Harris had spent more time in states like Pennsylvania, Michigan and Ohio talking about the economy and promoting major Democratic-backed legislation, including the Inflation Reduction Act, the American Rescue Plan and the CHIPS Act.
Despite criticism of the DNC’s handling of the review, Khanna defended DNC Chair Ken Martin against calls for resignation.
Khanna said Martin should not step down, pointing to his opposition to super PAC influence in Democratic primaries and his criticism of superdelegates selecting nominees.
Still, Khanna said Martin could have handled the post-election review better and should work more closely with state parties ahead of the 2026 and 2028 elections.
The DNC report has fueled broader debate inside the Democratic Party about leadership, messaging and whether the party has lost touch with working-class voters.
Khanna’s remarks add to growing pressure on Democrats to rebuild their economic message and move away from candidates who are seen as too closely tied to the political establishment.
🇺🇸 Rep. Ro Khanna says the American political and economic system is no longer working for millions of working and middle class families.
He argues both parties spent years defending a failed status quo, as inequality exploded and the economy became increasingly “lopsided and… https://t.co/bvax6UQls7 pic.twitter.com/iYrgEYszGC
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) May 24, 2026
