Khanna Says He Believes Platner Accusers but Supports His Senate Bid Despite Past Conduct

Rep. Ro Khanna stated on Fox News Sunday that he believes the women who accused Graham Platner of misconduct and that Platner’s past conduct was shameful. Khanna said Platner completed two or three tours of duty in Iraq and returned with PTSD.

He added that Platner had acknowledged a problem with alcohol and described an ugly period in his life, but now believes he has transformed. Graham Platner has denied some key claims by his female accusers, particularly allegations that he was physically rough, though he has admitted to being a bad boyfriend in the past.

Lyndsey Fifield alleged that Platner yanked her out of a cab by the wrists on one occasion and twisted her arm behind her back before locking her in a room on another.

Platner denied those accusations and argued they were politically motivated because Fifield had been a GOP operative. Fifield sent private messages in August of last year describing Platner’s skull and crossbones tattoo as a Nazi symbol. Platner has since inked over the tattoo and denied knowing of its resemblance to Nazi symbolism.

He stated that Fifield did not send the text about the tattoo’s Nazi ties to him. Khanna said it is for the voters to decide whether they believe Platner’s transformation is sincere. He added that people have to extend grace to those who own up to past mistakes.

Platner cheated on his wife, whom he married in 2023. 5 percentage point polling edge over incumbent Sen. Susan Collins according to the latest RealClearPolitics polling aggregate.