Ro Khanna reveals what's fueling Dem socialists' win over incumbents

WASHINGTON, DC: Representative and Democratic progressive leader Ro Khanna on Sunday, August 2, revealed why so many Democratic Socialists are winning elections and beating incumbent Democrats.

In June 2026, Democratic Socialists and allied progressives secured notable victories in several key US primary elections.

Ro Khanna blames economic pain for left-wing primary wins

Ro Khanna said that Americans’ economic concerns are driving the string of far-left victories in House Democratic primaries.

“People are upset at an unfair political and economic system. They can’t afford gas, they can’t afford food, young people can’t afford to buy a home or get a job,” Khanna told host Shannon Bream on 'Fox News Sunday'.

Democratic Socialists Claire Valdez and Darializa Avila Chevalier won primaries in New York City House districts in June — with the latter candidate defeating five-term Rep Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), the chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.

Progressive Brad Lander also defeated Rep Dan Goldman (D-NY) in New York’s 10th Congressional District, while Democratic Socialist Melat Kiros defeated 15-term incumbent Rep Diana DeGette (D-Colo) in late June.

Candidates backed by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) movement ousted established Democratic incumbents, shifting attention to internal party dynamics ahead of the midterm.

Ro Khanna backs borders while explaining socialist rise

Socialist candidates made economic concerns the center of their campaigns, criticizing the capitalist system and promising an economy that works better for ordinary Americans.

Leaders like Valdez and Chevalier openly advocated against the American capitalist system.

Khanna, who attributed socialists’ rise to their economic stand, disputed DSA’s position on borders and prisons, as a few of them reportedly advocated for no prisons and open borders.

“Of course we need borders. A nation needs borders, a nation needs secure borders,” the California Democrat told Bream.

“And of course we need prisons,” Khanna later remarked, while criticizing the jailing of individuals convicted of marijuana-related offenses.

Ro Khanna says Democratic Party needs reform

Arguing that internal debate in the Democratic Party could yield positive results, Khanna affirmed, “The Democratic Party needs reform. Look, this is a party that hasn’t delivered enough for working-class Americans.”

Khanna made the argument, citing the party’s support for the North American Free Trade Agreement and the integration of China into the World Trade Organization.

“What people are saying is we’ve got to get back toward FDR roots,” Khanna added, referring to former President Franklin D Roosevelt. “We need to be a party that is for the working class.”

He later remarked, “I think a reform is good, as long as it is for ordinary Americans who have been shafted in the current economy.”