WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal records show a congressional challenger in Silicon Valley has outspent the incumbent, seven-term Democratic Rep. Mike Honda, by nearly 2-to-1 in the state’s most competitive same-party general election race.
It’s highly unusual for challengers to outraise and outspend incumbents, but Ro Khanna, a patent lawyer, is an exception. He’s spent more than $4 million so far and had about $218,000 in the bank as of Sept. 30.
Honda’s campaign has spent about $2 million, but he has the edge in cash-on-hand. Federal Election Commission records filed late Wednesday show he has $1 million in the bank.
Outside groups have been largely staying out of the fray, but show a group called Californians for Innovation has spent more than $211,000 this month, primarily on pamphlets designed to boost Khanna’s prospects.
