Ro Khanna Endorses Maine Democratic Senate Nominee Graham Platner Despite Acknowledging His ‘Misogynistic’ and ‘Shameful’ Past
The California Democrat backed the nominee who won his primary with 72 percent despite prior misconduct allegations. Khanna said voters would judge him on his congressional record rather than the endorsement.
Washington ExaminerRep. S. Senate in Maine, ahead of the November election against incumbent Sen. Susan Collins. Khanna told the Washington Examiner that voters would focus on his record of releasing Epstein files, opposing war in Iran, and challenging the billionaire class rather than any single endorsement.
“I’ve endorsed so many candidates,” he said. ” Platner won the Democratic primary with 72 percent of the vote on Tuesday night. ” Khanna worked with Rep. Thomas Massie on a discharge petition that forced the Department of Justice to release millions of files related to Jeffrey Epstein’s investigation.
He has hired former President Joe Biden’s chief of staff Ron Klain to advise him ahead of a potential 2028 presidential run. Rep. Pramila Jayapal told the Washington Examiner that it is too early to say whether the association with Platner could harm Khanna’s 2028 chances.
“I think what I appreciate about Ro is that he takes positions and he sticks to them,” she said. ” Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove said it made sense that potential 2028 candidates would campaign for Democrats nationwide to help the party regain control of the House and Senate.
She added that Democrats should give grace to candidates of all backgrounds. Cayce Myers, a professor at Virginia Tech’s School of Communication, said the endorsement reflects a risk-reward calculation. “The reward is that if Platner unseats Collins and the Democrats are in control of the Senate, this seems like a very strategic move,” Myers said.
Myers also noted that voters now set stricter limits on what conduct they accept.
