WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — California Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna is facing growing criticism after his past support for former Maine U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner came under renewed attention. The backlash followed Platner’s decision to withdraw from the Senate race after a former girlfriend accused him of rape.
The controversy has also sparked debate over political judgment and accountability within the Democratic Party. In addition, critics argue that Khanna’s public support for Platner continued even after reports raised concerns about Platner’s treatment of women. Khanna, whom many political observers expect to consider a 2028 presidential campaign, has since acknowledged that he made the wrong decision.
Platner ended his Senate campaign on Friday after his former girlfriend, Jenny Racicot, accused him of entering her home without permission and raping her in 2021. He withdrew from the race shortly after the allegation became public.
Before that accusation surfaced, The New York Times published a report on June 4 that described claims from three former girlfriends who alleged troubling behavior by Platner. According to the report, the women described incidents involving intimidation, heavy drinking, and threatening conduct during their relationships.
One former girlfriend, Lyndsey Fifield, said some of Platner’s actions left her deeply shaken. She claimed he physically grabbed her during arguments, kept an AR-15 rifle inside his apartment, and spoke about violent fantasies. Those allegations increased public attention on his campaign and personal conduct.
Even after that report, Khanna continued to support Platner. Last month, Khanna appeared with him at a get-out-the-vote rally in Bar Harbor, Maine. Khanna’s congressional committee, Ro for Congress, helped fund the event, although his campaign said it did not donate money directly to Platner’s Senate campaign.
During the rally, Khanna praised Platner while speaking to supporters. “We reject misogyny. We reject it. You know who else rejects it? Graham Platner,” Khanna said from the stage.
Khanna also recorded a video conversation with Platner in Maine. The discussion focused on Platner’s political journey and what Khanna described as the human impact of public service.
However, Khanna quickly changed his position after Racicot’s rape allegation became public. He withdrew his endorsement and called on Platner to end his campaign.
Speaking to Politico, Khanna admitted he made a mistake. “I got the Platner call wrong, obviously,” he said. He also added that the episode should not define the broader progressive movement.
Meanwhile, California Republicans sharply criticized Khanna’s handling of the situation. Corrin Rankin, chairwoman of the California Republican Party, argued that the congressman showed poor judgment by continuing to support Platner after earlier reports about his behavior.
Rankin also accused Democratic leaders of failing to hold members of their own party accountable. Her comments added another political dimension to the growing controversy surrounding Khanna and Platner.
At the same time, a spokesperson for Khanna defended the Maine rally. The spokesperson said the event included several Democratic candidates, along with nurses and labor union leaders. The campaign also stressed that Ro for Congress did not provide financial support to Platner’s campaign.
The spokesperson added that Khanna has hosted similar campaign events across the country to help Democratic candidates during election cycles. According to the campaign, Platner appeared alongside other candidates rather than serving as the event’s only featured speaker.
Even so, additional reports continued to raise questions about Platner’s conduct. A former campaign aide alleged that Platner exchanged sexually explicit messages with several women who were not his wife around the time he announced his Senate campaign in 2025.
Separately, online posts linked to Platner also drew attention. Reports said investigators found comments on Reddit in which Platner appeared to dismiss victims of sexual assault. Those posts added to the scrutiny surrounding his campaign before his withdrawal.
