REMATCH: Once again Ro Khanna has the cash to challenge Rep. Mike Honda in CA-17. The two appear destined for a rematch of their contentious 2014 clash.

CONGRESS | 17TH DISTRICT | Let the rematch begin? Ro Khanna has not announced his candiday for the 17th Congressionl District next year, but Rep. Mike Honda seems to think Khanna wants another go of it.

A week after Khanna’s presumptive campaign began whispers of an impressive $800,000 in campaign contributions during the first reporting quarter following last November’s election, Honda’s campaign responded Tuesday by welcoming the challenge.

“Mike Honda is well prepared to run and has already assembled his experienced team to fend off the latest challenge,” said Adam Alberti, a spokesperson for Honda campaign.

Campaign finance reports due this week will show Honda raised $257,962 in campaign contributions since the beginning of the year, said his campaign, and included nearly $209,000 cash in hand.

Keep in mind, the June Primary for the 17th District is more than a year away, but similar to the 2014 clash between the two Democrats, a potential rematch will again be eagerly-awaited and flush with millions in cash.

Last time around, Khanna’s campaign spent over $4 million to finish a tad under four percent behind Honda last November. Meanwhile, the trash talk has already begun with Honda’s campaign calling Khanna an “overly ambitious challenger” supported by “special interest billionaires.”

“It is no surprise to anyone that Ro Khanna is running for Congress, something he has been doing for more than a decade,” said Alberti. “As we know from history, Ro Khanna’s ability to raise money is only surpassed by his ability to squander it.”

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