Khanna concedes to Honda in California

by Rachel Huggins - 11/07/14 10:01 PM ET

Rep. Mike Honda’s (D-Calif.) challenger, fellow Democrat Ro Khanna conceded to the sitting senator Friday evening after a tough race in the Silicon Valley district.

“While there are still thousands of votes yet to be counted, the outcome of this election has become clear — and it looks like we came up a little short,” Khanna said in a statement.

“At a time when it is easy to be cynical about politics, I am inspired by the passion of both campaigns, and by the voters in this district. People here in Silicon Valley aren’t afraid to stand up for their convictions, and they are fundamentally fair, open-minded, and decent.”

Honda declared victory Friday morning against the former Commerce Department official, leading Khanna 52 percent to 48 percent, according to the Associated Press.

“Together, we sent a message that the voters of this district value a lifetime of service to this community more than lifetime of service to oneself,” Honda, the seven term senator, said at a press conference after his win.

The two Democrats were locked in a tight battle to represent California’s key technology district in the state’s closely watched same-party matchup.