Rep. Ro Khanna of California said Friday that Graham Platner's past relationships were "toxic and volatile," but the progressive Democrat argued that the Maine Senate candidate is taking accountability for his past and deserves a chance at redemption as he seeks to unseat Republican Sen. Susan Collins.
Khanna, who along with Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont is backing Platner, spoke with Fox News Digital ahead of a rally organized in Bar Harbor, Maine, near Platner's hometown of Sullivan.
Platner, a military combat veteran and oyster farmer who is considered the Democrats' presumptive nominee ahead of Tuesday's primary, has been defending himself against multiple controversies. These include inflammatory online comments made on Reddit, a tattoo on his chest that resembled a Nazi symbol that he later covered up, and new allegations this week from ex-girlfriends describing a history of rape fantasies, heavy drinking and violent episodes.
What the Left Is Saying
"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. The California congressman added that Platner told him he was at "a very dark period" after returning from two tours of duty in Iraq as an infantryman.
Khanna argued that Platner's experience shows someone taking accountability and improving their life. "We need that redemption in this country," he said. "And I agree with a lot of his economic policies, that we should be taxing the billionaires, we should be focusing on the working class."
At Friday's rally, Platner addressed supporters directly. "When hurtful things I said on the internet a decade ago came out into the public as I shared my personal journey through PTSD and darkness of recovery and accountability and growth. Maine had my back," he said. He also called recent allegations "politically motivated" and "false accusations."
What the Right Is Saying
Collins, asked by reporters about the latest allegations after returning to Maine from a busy week in Washington where she cast her 10,000th consecutive Senate vote, offered a measured but pointed response. "The allegations in the latest story are troubling," Collins said. "And I believe that Graham Platner has a lot of questions to answer."
Republican-aligned groups have been intensifying their attacks on Platner. A super PAC aligned with Collins has been running advertisements spotlighting his multiple controversies, including his Reddit posts and the tattoo.
Conservative commentators have pointed to Khanna's support as hypocritical given his 2018 statement on Brett Kavanaugh, when he tweeted, "I stand with Dr. Christine Blasey Ford. Brett Kavanaugh is not fit to sit on the Supreme Court. #BelieveSurvivors." Critics argue that position conflicts with his current backing of Platner despite allegations from multiple ex-girlfriends.
What the Numbers Show
The Maine Senate race is among a handful across the country that will determine whether Republicans retain their slim Senate majority. Collins, a moderate Republican who has at times voted against President Donald Trump's agenda, is running for her sixth six-year term in traditionally left-leaning Maine.
Platner launched his campaign last fall and initially faced scrutiny over controversial Reddit comments he made years earlier. He apologized for those posts after they surfaced. Regarding the tattoo, Platner has said he got the skull and crossbones design in 2007 while drinking with fellow Marines stationed in Croatia and covered it up after learning last year that it resembled a Nazi symbol.
The race is considered one of the most competitive Senate contests of 2026, though polling data specific to this matchup was not included in available sources.
The Bottom Line
Platner faces what may be the roughest stretch of his campaign as he works to address questions about his past while maintaining support from national Democrats. Whether Khanna's redemption argument resonates with Maine voters could determine whether the party has a viable path to flipping the seat.
The candidate will need to navigate ongoing scrutiny while making his case to general election voters. Collins, meanwhile, enters the general election as an incumbent with significant resources and name recognition in a state that has shown willingness to support moderate Republicans in federal races.