Ro Khanna Condemns Graham Platner Conduct as Maine Senate Primary Nears
Rep. Ro Khanna condemned Graham Platner’s past conduct toward women while continuing to defend the Maine Democratic Senate candidate days before Tuesday’s primary.
Khanna, a California Democrat who campaigned with Platner in Maine, said on CBS’ “Face the Nation” that Platner’s actions were “misogynistic,” “shameful” and “wrong,” but argued that Maine voters he met were weighing those actions against Platner’s current campaign message and claims of accountability.
The comments followed a series of damaging reports about Platner, including sexually explicit messages sent to women while he was married, past online comments, a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol, and allegations about his behavior toward former partners. Platner has denied physical-abuse allegations and has said his past is being politically weaponized.
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Khanna also said Democrats should not attack Lyndsey Fifield, a former girlfriend who has spoken publicly about the relationship, or the New York Times reporters who covered the allegations. He said he believed Fifield while maintaining that evidence of violence or sexual assault would be a red line for his support.
The political stakes are immediate. Reuters reported that Platner is expected to win the June 9 Democratic nomination to challenge Republican Sen. Susan Collins, and described the race as a must-win contest for Democrats seeking Senate control. Republicans currently hold a 53-47 majority.
A UMass Lowell/YouGov poll released Thursday showed Platner leading Collins 48% to 43%, but the survey was conducted before the latest allegation cycle and carried a margin of error of plus or minus 4.9 points.
For Maine voters, the primary now tests whether Platner’s accountability argument can survive late scrutiny. For Democrats nationally, it tests whether a high-risk nominee can still carry one of the party’s most important Senate pickup opportunities.
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