Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) is keeping the door open for a possible 2028 White House bid. “There are those who have raised the prospect that you should run for president,” Al Sharpton told the California Democrat. “You’re going to be my running mate?” Khanna joked in response. Khanna said the primary focus for Democrats should be making Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) the Speaker of the House. Khanna later said he thinks he offers “two things” in a potential presidential bid. “One is I represent the economic future, and I have a clear roadmap for how we’re going to make sure every part of this country has an economic stake in the future,” Khanna said. “Whether that is workers having equity, whether it is the Black South being a part of the AI revolution, whether it is making sure families have economic independence with health care and child care, I have a comprehensive economic vision, and I believe the people need an economic vision,” he continued. “Secondly, I fundamentally believe, because of my grandfather, that we need to move beyond the colonial model of the world,” Khanna said. Watch below: Rep. @RoKhanna (D-CA) considering running for president in 2028: "I believe I offer two things…one is I represent the economic future…secondly, I fundamentally believe, because of my grandfather, that we need to move on from the colonial model of the world." pic.twitter.com/bBWHADf1B6 — CSPAN (@cspan) April 8, 2026 The Hill has more: Khanna is one of several potential Democratic contenders in the 2028 presidential race. California Gov. Gavin Newsom and former Vice President Kamala Harris are seen as the top options for the party, although neither has committed to running. Former White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel recently pitched a “six for 2026” plan for Democrats to run on in the midterm elections amid speculation that he was weighing a presidential bid. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D), another possible contender, spoke at Wednesday’s conference, where he also teased a possible 2028 run. Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) is another Democratic lawmaker considering a 2028 presidential run. Democrat Senator Considering 2028 White House Bid ABC News elaborated further on the Sharpton-hosted event: What is expected to be the biggest gathering of possible Democratic 2028 presidential hopefuls is set to happen at the convention for the National Action Network, an organization dedicated to fighting for civil rights and equality. In New York City this week, the potential candidates will gather to look to engage with Black civil rights leaders and voters. The event, hosted by Rev. Al Sharpton, has become a hub for those considering a presidential run and will offer a preview of what the jostling for the Black vote in the 2028 election will look like. "Two years out, we’ll see some of the people that have been thinking of running, and they’ll see us," Sharpton told POLITICO in an interview about the gathering. Former Vice President Kamala Harris, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, Sen. Mark Kelly and Rep. Ro Khanna are among the potential 2028 Democratic candidates who will attend the convention, according to the National Action Network website. Nearly all of the lawmakers have either expressed interest or have not shut down the idea about running for president. All of them are set to take part in a conversation with Sharpton.