California Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna is continuing to support Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner, even as he openly acknowledges that he believes the women who have accused the Democrat of mistreating them in past relationships.
Speaking on Fox News Sunday, Khanna reiterated a position that has become increasingly difficult to navigate as Platner faces a growing list of controversies during his Senate campaign.
“I do believe those women,” Khanna said. “And I have said that his past conduct was shameful, and I totally condemned it.”
Despite that assessment, Khanna argued that Platner deserves an opportunity to demonstrate that he has changed.
“He did two, three tours of duty in Iraq. He came back with PTSD,” Khanna said. “That’s not an excuse, but he said that he had a problem with alcohol. He had an ugly period in his life. And he believes that he has transformed, and he’s had redemption.”
The comments highlight the difficult balancing act facing Democrats who have endorsed Platner. While some allies emphasize personal growth and redemption, the candidate continues to face questions about allegations from former partners and other issues that have emerged during the campaign.
One of Platner’s most prominent accusers, Lyndsey Fifield, has alleged that he was physically rough with her during their relationship. Among other claims, she said he once pulled her from a cab by the wrists and, on another occasion, twisted her arm behind her back before locking her in a room.
Platner has denied those allegations, arguing they were politically motivated because Fifield had worked as a Republican operative.
Complicating matters, however, are reports that Fifield privately referenced concerns about Platner’s skull-and-crossbones tattoo months before it became a public controversy. Critics later noted similarities between the tattoo and the Nazi-era Totenkopf symbol used by the SS.
Another former partner reportedly raised similar concerns before the issue became widely known. Platner has since covered the tattoo and maintains that he was unaware of any resemblance to Nazi imagery when he originally got it.
“Well, she certainly didn’t send that text to me,” Platner said when asked how Fifield appeared to know about the symbol’s associations before he did.
Khanna nevertheless argued that voters were aware of many of the allegations when they selected Platner in the Democratic primary.
“It’s for the voters to decide whether they believe his transformation is sincere,” Khanna said. “I believe that they will make that determination, but I do believe that people have to extend grace to folks who own up to past mistakes and say that they’ve transformed and that they’re better.”
The accusations involving former partners are only part of the baggage confronting Platner’s campaign.
Recent reports have highlighted revelations that he cheated on his wife, whom he married in 2023. Questions have also been raised about a Kik account featuring a shirtless profile image and a series of old Reddit posts that resurfaced after much of his online history was removed from public view.
Among the most damaging disclosures was a 2012 Reddit post in which Platner appeared to mock a teenage girl’s suicide attempt, generating renewed scrutiny over his judgment and past behavior.
Despite the controversies, Platner remains competitive in the race. According to the latest RealClearPolitics polling average, he holds a narrow 4.5-point lead over incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins.
Still, Collins has a long history of outperforming polling expectations. During her 2020 reelection campaign, she exceeded the final RealClearPolitics average by double digits, a reminder that early polling advantages do not always translate into victory on Election Day.
