Leading Dem Endorses Senate Candidate Platner As Controversies Grow

Rep. Ro Khanna is facing new accusations of hypocrisy after backing a Democratic Senate candidate in Maine who is under fire over serious allegations from multiple women, despite Khanna’s long-running public image as a defender of women and victims.

Khanna, a California Democrat and one of the most visible progressive voices in Congress, has spent more than a year calling for the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files and demanding justice for victims. But his support for Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner is now raising questions about whether Democrats apply their “believe survivors” standard only when it benefits them politically.

Platner, a military veteran and oyster farmer running to unseat longtime Republican Sen. Susan Collins, has been rocked by a series of controversies in recent weeks.

The Democrat has faced scrutiny over inflammatory Reddit posts, a tattoo he later admitted resembled a Nazi symbol, and allegations from former girlfriends involving rape fantasies, excessive drinking, violent outbursts, and abusive behavior.

Despite the growing firestorm, Khanna appeared alongside Platner at a campaign rally in Maine and defended him in an interview with Fox News Digital.

“I’m more concerned about making it clear that we’re opposed to misogyny. Those relationships were toxic and volatile. There’s no excuse for that,” Khanna said.

Khanna then shifted into defending Platner, arguing that the candidate has taken responsibility and changed.

According to Khanna, Platner told him he was in a dark place after returning from combat tours in Iraq before later finding peace after coming back to Maine.

“He is ashamed of that period,” Khanna said. “To me, that suggests someone taking accountability and improving their lives, and we need that redemption in this country.”

Khanna also praised Platner’s economic message, saying he agrees with many of the Democrat’s positions on taxing billionaires and focusing on working-class Americans.

But the defense immediately sparked criticism because of Khanna’s past statements during the 2018 Supreme Court confirmation battle involving Brett Kavanaugh.

When Christine Blasey Ford accused Kavanaugh of sexual assault, Khanna publicly sided with Ford and declared that Kavanaugh was unfit to serve on the Supreme Court.

“I stand with Dr. Christine Blasey Ford. Brett Kavanaugh is not fit to sit on the Supreme Court. #BelieveSurvivors,” Khanna wrote at the time.

Now, critics say Khanna appears to be applying a different standard because the accused candidate is a Democrat running in one of the party’s most important Senate races.

The Maine contest is considered a major target for Democrats because Republicans hold only a narrow Senate majority. Democratic leaders view Collins’ seat as one of their best opportunities to gain ground in the chamber.

Collins responded carefully when asked about the latest allegations surrounding Platner.

“The allegations in the latest story are troubling,” Collins told reporters. “And I believe that Graham Platner has a lot of questions to answer.”

Platner, meanwhile, has tried to frame the controversy as a politically motivated attack designed to damage his campaign.

“When politically motivated, serious and false accusations are made against me, Maine, you have my back,” Platner told supporters at a Friday rally.

Republicans have moved quickly to highlight the controversy.

The Republican National Committee accused Platner of trying to minimize a disturbing history, while GOP Senate groups have launched ads focused on the allegations and past controversies surrounding the Democratic candidate, Fox News reported.

Even with the mounting criticism, Khanna is standing firmly behind Platner and predicting that he will win the Democratic nomination.

“Platner is going to come out victorious,” Khanna said. “And we need to unite and realize that the goal is defeating Susan Collins.”

For conservatives, the controversy is another example of the Democratic Party’s selective moral outrage. When the accused is a conservative, Democrats demand immediate condemnation. When the accused is a Democrat in a competitive race, the language suddenly shifts to redemption, context, and political unity.

Khanna’s defense of Platner may satisfy progressive activists eager to defeat Collins, but it also exposes a deeper credibility problem for Democrats who have spent years claiming to stand for women while appearing to protect their own when power is on the line.

Whether Maine voters accept that double standard remains to be seen.