Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna of California condemned the alleged inappropriate behavior of Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner but noted that local voters “didn’t come as a surprise” to the accusations.
What happened
In an interview on CBS’s “Face the Nation,” Khanna acknowledged that Platner’s actions towards women were “misogynistic, shameful, and wrong.” However, he said many Maine voters were already aware of aspects of Platner’s past and have chosen to focus on the Senate race rather than the allegations. Khanna campaigned with Platner in Maine shortly before the state’s Democratic primary as part of efforts to flip Senator Susan Collins’ seat.
The controversy centers on revelations that Platner sent sexual messages to women other than his wife. Further reports from The New York Times included allegations of physically abusive behavior from a former girlfriend, Lyndsey Fifield, who claimed Platner grabbed, twisted, and restrained her during arguments a decade ago. Platner denies these allegations.
Despite some Democrats questioning the timing and credibility of the claims, Khanna expressed belief in Fifield’s account, emphasizing that her political background is not relevant to the truth of her statements. He also reiterated that evidence of physical violence or sexual assault would be disqualifying for him.
Khanna noted that Fifield said she was not injured during the incidents she described and characterized the behavior as “toxic” and verbally intimidating but not violent—drawing a “red line” at physical violence, which Platner denies occurred.
Why it matters
The Maine Senate race is critical to Democrats’ hopes of gaining control of the U.S. Senate, as incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins remains one of the few GOP senators representing a state carried by the 2024 Democratic presidential nominee. Allegations against Platner have threatened to complicate Democratic efforts to unseat Collins, making voter perception of the candidate’s conduct a decisive factor in the primary and general election.
Khanna’s public condemnation paired with his defense of Platner’s accountability reflects a balancing act within the party as candidates face scrutiny for personal behavior yet remain pivotal in competitive races.
Background
Graham Platner is a Maine businessman seeking the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican Senator Susan Collins in the November midterm elections. Collins is a prominent moderate Republican whose seat is critical to control of the Senate. Platner’s campaign has been overshadowed by revelations of inappropriate sexual communications and allegations of abusive behavior toward ex-partners, which emerged publicly in the weeks leading up to Maine’s primary.
Rep. Ro Khanna has been actively campaigning for Platner, signaling the national party’s investment in the race. However, the controversy has sparked debate among Democrats about candidate vetting and the impact of personal misconduct allegations on electoral viability.
Sources
This article is based on reporting and publicly available information from the following source:
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