Billionaire Tax Backlash Fuels Primary Challenge to Khanna (1)

March 3, 2026, 5:48 PM UTC

Representative Ro Khanna is facing backlash from billionaires for supporting a California wealth tax. Now a tech entrepreneur wants to turn that anger into a June primary challenge for Khanna’s Silicon Valley seat.

The bid by Ethan Agarwal, 40, is a long shot given Khanna’s national profile and campaign war chest of nearly $15.5 million. But Agarwal said he is counting on support from deep-pocketed tech executives such as Garry Tan, the CEO of Y Combinator, an influential startup accelerator, and venture capitalist Chamath Palihapitiya.

Tan’s spokesperson Sam Singer confirmed he is donating to the campaign, ...

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