CONGRESS | 17TH DISTRICT | Sounding triumphant, Rep. Mike Honda declared victory in the hard-fought and costly race in the 17th Congressional District. Although ballots in both Santa Clara and Alameda Counties remain to be counted, Honda’s roughly four percentage point lead over fellow Democrat Ro Khanna has remained virtually constant since Tuesday night’s election.

Calling the 4,000 vote margin “insurmountable,” Honda thanked supporters Friday morning at his a campaign office in Newark. However, over a year jostling with his well-funded opponent appeared to come to a head as Honda slammed Khanna and the wealthy donors who supported him.

“Together, we sent a message that this election could not be bought by Super PACs and right-wing millionaires and billionaires,” said Honda. “My opponent’s donors wasted more than $5 million, through his campaign and Super PAC, to try to replace my progressive voice with someone who would do their bidding. And although we were outspent 2:1, they were no match for the more than 10,000 people who funded my campaign.”

Today I have a message for those right-wing millionaires and billionaires: You cannot buy grassroots. You could not buy it this year, and you will not be able to buy it next year either. This District, and our democracy, are not for sale.”

Khanna, a former Obama appointee to the U.S. Department of Commerce, received over $4.8 million in fundraising, according to finance reports ending in Oct. 15, from some of the most powerful interests in Silicon Valley. By contrast, even with the power of the incumbency on his side, Honda attracted less than half the amount.

Khanna is expected to concede the race Friday evening at a press conference in Fremont scheduled for 5:45 p.m.

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