Ro Khanna Backs Graham Platner in Maine Senate Race as 2 New York Times Reports Deepen Democratic Split
Updated
Updated · abcnews.com · Jun 7
Ro Khanna Backs Graham Platner in Maine Senate Race as 2 New York Times Reports Deepen Democratic Split
3 articles · Updated · abcnews.com · Jun 7
Summary
Rep. Ro Khanna publicly backed Graham Platner at a Bar Harbor rally, urging Democrats to unite behind the likely nominee against Sen. Susan Collins despite mounting controversy.
Two New York Times reports over the past week intensified the turmoil, detailing sexually explicit texts and ex-partners' allegations of intimidating behavior; Platner called his past conduct toxic, denied violence, and linked it to PTSD and alcohol abuse.
Maine Democrats remain sharply divided: some voters told ABC News they still see Platner as the party's best chance, while state Reps. Allison Hepler and Holly Eaton said they would vote for Gov. Janet Mills in Tuesday's primary instead.
The backlash also reaches beyond the latest allegations, with Eaton citing old online comments and a chest tattoo Platner says he did not know had Nazi associations until last October, when he covered it.
With Democrats eyeing Collins' seat as part of their Senate-control path, the race is becoming a test of whether policy priorities can outweigh personal scandal.