President Barack Obama on Monday endorsed Rep. Michael M. Honda, a seven-term Democrat representing a safe district.

“We need Congressman Mike Honda in the United States Congress, and I urge you to vote to keep him there,” Obama said in a statement.

The endorsement comes fewer than three months after the 2012 elections, a remarkably early show of support from the president. But it’s no doubt in reaction to the rumored threat of a primary from attorney Ro Khanna, who has congressional ambitions and a war chest in excess of $1 million.

Khanna had also been rumored to be considering a bid in the neighboring 15th District, where Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell knocked off veteran Democrat Pete Stark last year. That was the first federal election under the state’s new top-two primary format, which allows for members of the same party to face off in the general.