Ro Khanna Acknowledges Mistake in Supporting Graham Platner for Maine Senate Seat
Ro Khanna says he regrets endorsing – Representative Ro Khanna of California publicly expressed regret on Sunday regarding his endorsement of Graham Platner, a Democratic candidate who had recently withdrawn from the Maine Senate contest against Republican incumbent Susan Collins. The decision to step aside came after an ex-girlfriend made allegations that Platner had sexually assaulted her in 2021.
Speaking with Kristen Welker, the host of NBC News’s “Meet the Press,” Khanna admitted his error in judgment. “I got that call wrong,” he stated candidly. The California representative explained that while he endorses numerous individuals regularly, he believes in owning up to mistakes when they occur. He emphasized that voters appreciate humility and accountability when leaders acknowledge missteps.
Multiple Controversies Surface
Welker questioned Khanna about his continued support for Platner despite mounting criticism. The former Maine Senate candidate had faced scrutiny over several issues simultaneously. A tattoo on his chest bore resemblance to a Nazi symbol, and he had previously made online comments that drew backlash from survivors of sexual assault. Additionally, The New York Times published allegations last month from former girlfriends who described Platner as aggressive toward them.
Khanna clarified his position regarding the most recent scandal, which Politico reported last week. “For me, the line always was sexual assault or sexual violence,” he explained. He noted that he was among the first to withdraw his endorsement once those specific allegations emerged. However, he acknowledged that he should have recognized warning signs earlier. “And if there’s some self-reflection it is that we all need to see the signs earlier of people who may engage in domestic violence,” he added.
Allegations and Responses
Jenny Racicot, a Maine resident, told both Politico and CNN that Platner allegedly sexually assaulted her in 2021 while he was heavily intoxicated. When speaking with CNN’s Jake Tapper, Racicot emphasized that political considerations did not influence her decision to come forward. She noted that she agreed with Platner’s policy proposals despite the personal allegations.
Platner has denied the accusations of sexual assault and physical roughness with former partners. He also stated that he was unaware of the tattoo’s similarity to a Totenkopf symbol. Regarding controversial posts that appeared on Reddit, Platner attributed them to his struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder following his military deployments.
Broader Political Context
Khanna pointed out that he was not alone in initially supporting Platner before retracting his endorsement. “Look, I wasn’t the only one. You had Planned Parenthood. You had Senator Warren,” he said, referencing Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts. He also noted that the entire Democratic Party had endorsed Platner at one point. Despite this collective support, Khanna maintained that he had made an error in judgment.
He explained the political reasoning behind the endorsements, noting that Platner opposed foreign wars and supported Medicare for All. These positions aligned with the broader progressive movement, which helped explain why so many organizations and lawmakers backed him. Several progressive lawmakers and organizations subsequently rescinded their endorsements and urged Platner to withdraw from the race, with Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont being particularly vocal in his criticism.
Last month, CBS News’s Margaret Brennan also questioned Khanna about the New York Times reporting. Past girlfriends had provided varied assessments of the oyster farmer, describing him as both caring and toxic at different times. The California lawmaker characterized Platner’s behavior as “shameful” and “wrong,” noting that these revelations did not surprise many Mainers, particularly given his deployments to Iraq.
Khanna concluded by emphasizing that Platner had taken accountability for his actions. He reiterated his stance on supporting candidates with clean records regarding violence. “If there was evidence of violence, I would not support him. If there was evidence of sexual assault. I’d have zero support for him,” Khanna stated firmly, underscoring his commitment to holding public figures to high standards.
