Ro Khanna should replace Mike Honda in Congress

[Commentary] Ro Khanna's time has come.

His first congressional race against Tom Lantos 10 years ago, when he was 27, was a tilt at windmills. But his goal of serving in Congress, formed in college, has not wavered. He has prepared himself well through his career choices and by undertaking thoughtful analysis of the big issues affecting Silicon Valley's ability to thrive.

We recommend Khanna, a Democrat, for the 17th Congressional District seat -- even though the incumbent is the venerable Rep Mike Honda (D-CA), whose personal graciousness and alignment with Democratic and labor causes have endeared him to many. Honda for 13 years has been a solid vote for civil rights, the environment and equal opportunity. Khanna's views on those issues are similar. But Silicon Valley -- whose economy, like the 17th District, stretches into the East Bay -- needs more than a congressman who mostly votes the right way. It needs a leader who grasps the complex economic challenges this economy faces, can articulate how to deal with them and can reach across the aisle to maybe even win some GOP support.