Indian American Ro Khanna secures crucial vote

Indian American Ro Khanna, the Democrat who ran for the Congressional seat from California’s 17th District has secured enough votes in the primary election held on June 3 to challenge seven terms incumbent Mike Honda in the general election scheduled for November.

Incumbent Congressman Honda had, until press time, secured 23,052, and Khanna 25. 8 percent less got 11,820 and two Republican candidates Vanila Singh received 7,414 and Joel VanLandingham received 3,537.

The former official in US President Barack Obama’s administration, an attorney by profession and a teacher who has received support from Silicon Valley tycoons, said in a statement: “I knew that challenging the status quo wasn’t going to be easy -- but I believed from day one that if voters are given the choice between more of the same, and a new type of forward-looking vision, they will side with change. That’s exactly what we saw tonight and it’s why I am so energised to continue speaking with voters about the issues that really matter, creating good paying jobs, making sure people have the skills to compete in a 21st century economy, and fixing a broken Congress. So tonight I will enjoy celebrating with our incredible supporters, because tomorrow it’s time

to get back to work.”

Congressman Honda told rediff.com, "I am feeling very good. I think the people of this district have spoken and we paid attention to them. I just made sure that we are sharing information with our electorate -- what we are doing, what we are about, what we have accomplished and what we want to do more. Also I have been a voice for those who needed our voice. I am really proud of the campaign and the team."

"Now we have to sit down and plan," said Congressman Honda on next move for the November election and added, "We are always there for immigration and want to see that it gets passed."

Indian born Vanila Singh, a Republican candidate from the California congressional district 17th who stood third, told rediff.com: "We didn't leave anything out there. We did everything with honesty, integrity, and the best qualification knowing that this is my community and I fought hard for it."

Singh's mother Leela Mathur who faced tough challenge from the Indian American community for bringing her daughter Vanila against Khanna on taking third position in the primary race said, "I am proud of her and campaign went very well. The Bhagavad Gita says the result is not in your hand."