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R Republican · U.S. House 17, California · Nov 3, 2026

Ritesh
Tandon

Republican Ritesh Tandon challenges incumbent Ro Khanna in California's 17th Congressional District in November 2026.

Researched checked 6 d ago
sources
14
positions
12
endorsements
13
tandonforcongress.com ↗(opens in a new tab) X(opens in a new tab)
Opponent Ro Khanna D Compare race →

Background

Ritesh Tandon is a Republican candidate challenging incumbent Representative Ro Khanna in California's 17th Congressional District in the November 2026 general election. He advanced to the general election after the June 2, 2026 top-two primary alongside Khanna. 121115

Tandon's campaign describes him as a research fellow at UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business, as well as a business leader, entrepreneur, researcher, nonprofit leader, and community volunteer who has called the Bay Area home for 26 years. 1

He holds an MBA from Santa Clara University (2007) and a master's degree in computer engineering from the same institution (2001). 1

Tandon has no prior elected office on record. He has previously mounted unsuccessful bids for the CA-17 House seat in 2020 and 2022 before advancing to the 2026 general election. 1120

At a glance

Party
Republican
Running for
U.S. House · District 17, California
Election
Nov 3, 2026
Current office
Research Fellow, UC Berkeley Haas School of Business (Congressional candidate)
Website
tandonforcongress.com(opens in a new tab)

Where they stand

Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.

Timeline

  1. Oct 12
    news
    IANS identifies Tandon as one of three Indian-American Republican nominees running in strongly Democratic districts

    India Abroad News Service reported on Tandon as one of three Indian-American Republican House nominees running amid H-1B backlash in the GOP, noting he is challenging Democratic incumbent Ro Khanna in California's 17th District.

    Indian-American Republicans run amid H-1B backlash in GOP · Oct 12, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  2. Oct 7
    news
    Mercury News describes Tandon's platform: lower taxes, deregulation, secure borders, and legal immigration

    The Mercury News summarized Tandon's campaign platform as centered on reduced taxes and regulations to promote innovation and affordability, along with secure borders and an immigration system that protects American workers while welcoming legal talent.

    Election 2026: House control is up for grabs. Bay Area seats look ... · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  3. Jun 30
    filing
    FEC filing shows Tandon raised ~$37,653 with only ~$891 cash on hand through June 30

    Campaign finance figures through the June 30 FEC reporting cutoff showed Tandon's committee raised approximately $37,653, spent roughly $37,000, and had only about $891 cash on hand, compared to incumbent Ro Khanna's approximately $16.9 million cash on hand.

    Ritesh Tandon (R) — 2026 Candidate, California's 17th District | ChamberLight · Oct 3, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  4. Jun 2
    news
    Tandon advances through California top-two primary to face Ro Khanna in general election

    Tandon secured second place in the June 2 primary with approximately 23,450 votes (33.3%) against incumbent Ro Khanna's 46,902 votes (66.7%), qualifying him for the November 3 general election ballot.

    Ro Khanna — CA-17 voting record - SeatLedger · Sep 16, 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Endorsements

  • Kevin McCarthy official
    Reported by candidate on iVoter Guide profile; listed as candidate-reported, not independently verified. ivoterguide.com
  • Santa Clara County GOP organization
    Reported by candidate on iVoter Guide profile; listed as candidate-reported, not independently verified. ivoterguide.com
  • Silicon Valley Republican Women Association organization
    Reported by candidate on iVoter Guide profile; listed as candidate-reported, not independently verified. ivoterguide.com
  • The American Council organization
    Listed on iVoter Guide profiles as an endorsement; noted as received after the evaluation deadline. ivoterguide.com
  • Silicon Valley Republican GOP organization
    Reported by candidate on iVoter Guide profile; listed as candidate-reported, not independently verified. ivoterguide.com
  • Silicon Valley Chinese Association Foundation (SVCAF) organization
    Listed as an endorsement on an iVoter Guide profile. ivoterguide.com
  • Alameda County GOP organization
    Reported by candidate on iVoter Guide profile; listed as candidate-reported, not independently verified. ivoterguide.com
  • Hindus for American Foundation organization
    Reported by candidate on iVoter Guide profile; listed as candidate-reported, not independently verified. ivoterguide.com
  • California ProLife Council PAC organization
    Listed on iVoter Guide profile as an endorsement; noted as received after the evaluation deadline. ivoterguide.com
  • Silicon Valley Chinese Association (SVCA) organization
    SVCA 2026 primary voter guide co-endorses both candidates for CD17, naming Tandon and Jennie Ha Pham. svca.me · Oct 12, 2026
  • California Republican Assembly organization
    Listed as an endorsement on Tandon's iVoter Guide profile, updated October 11, 2026. ivoterguide.com · Oct 9, 2026
  • California Congress of Republicans (CCR) organization
    CCR's 2026 endorsements page lists Tandon for U.S. Congress, District 17. Page published May 6, 2026, updated October 3, 2026. ccr-gop.com · May 6, 2026
  • California Republican Party (CAGOP) official
    CAGOP endorsements page lists 'CD 17: Ritesh Tandon.' Page published April 29, 2026, updated October 7, 2026. cagop.org · Apr 29, 2026

Past elections

General election results for federal office, from the Federal Election Commission.

YearSeatResultVotesShare
2022U.S. House CA-17 · RLost52,40029.1%
2020U.S. House CA-17 · RLost85,19928.7%

Covers the 2016 to 2022 general elections. The FEC has not yet published 2024 congressional results.

Campaign finance

Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.

Raised
$38K
Spent
$37K
Cash on hand
$891

As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H0CA17193(opens in a new tab)

Sources 14

  1. [1] Indian-American Republicans run amid H-1B backlash in GOP(opens in a new tab) Oct 12, 2026
  2. [2] Silicon Valley Chinese Association 2026 Primary Voter Guide(opens in a new tab) Oct 12, 2026
  3. [3] Ritesh Tandon - iVoter Guide(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
  4. [4] Election 2026: House control is up for grabs. Bay Area seats look ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
  5. [5] Ritesh Tandon (R) — 2026 Candidate, California's 17th District | ChamberLight(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
  6. [6] Ritesh Tandon - Candidate Profile(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
  7. [7] Ritesh Tandon Republican(opens in a new tab) Sep 17, 2026
  8. [8] Ro Khanna — CA-17 voting record - SeatLedger(opens in a new tab) Sep 16, 2026
  9. [9] CCR Endorsements 2026 - California Congress of Republicans(opens in a new tab) May 6, 2026
  10. [10] CAGOP Endorsements - California Republican Party(opens in a new tab) Apr 29, 2026
  11. [11] Republican Ritesh Tandon launches fourth bid for ...(opens in a new tab) Mar 12, 2026
  12. [12] Foreign Policy - Ritesh Tandon for Congress(opens in a new tab) Feb 29, 2024
  13. [13] Affordable Housing - Ritesh Tandon for Congress(opens in a new tab) Feb 19, 2024
  14. [14] Policies - Ritesh Tandon for Congress - Issues(opens in a new tab) Feb 19, 2024
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