Sexting Senate hopeful Graham Platner's shameful acts 'didn't come as a surprise to a lot of the folks in Maine,' according to fellow Democrat who is STILL standing by him

By VICTORIA CHURCHILL, US POLITICAL REPORTER Published: 22:45, 7 June 2026 | Updated: 22:55, 7 June 2026 Scandal-plagued US Senate Candidate Graham Platner's allies are standing by him, claiming that new allegations 'didn't come as a surprise to a lot of the folks in Maine.'  The Maine Democrat - who has been under fire over a sexting scandal - left a trail of bad impressions with women he dated from both Washington, DC, and Maine, with several exes accusing him of emotional abuse and physical intimidation. California Congressman Ro Khanna, a progressive Democrat, still campaigned in Maine with Platner on Friday and was asked on Sunday what would make him rescind his support. 'Obviously, look, 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 told CBS Face the Nation host Margaret Brennan. The California Democrat told Brennan that Platner's 'actions were misogynistic, they were shameful, they were wrong,' adding that 'they didn't come as a surprise to a lot of the folks in Maine.' Khanna went on to explain that supporters in Maine have accepted Platner's imperfect past and his journey to improve. 'The Maine voters that I met said they don't like it. They knew that he had these chapters,' Khanna added. 'They are willing to extend him grace and redemption and they're focused now on what he's running for.' Khanna also told Brennan that Platner's accusers, 'said there was no harm, no injury. There was toxicity, and there was verbal intimidation, which I condemn.' 'But Graham has made it clear that there was no evidence of violence. That to me is a red line.' Ro Khanna delivers remarks during a National Press Club Headliners Newsmaker event on April 14, 2026 in Washington, DC Graham Platner, Democratic candidate for US Senate in Maine, speaks in Portland, Maine, on May 25, 2026 One woman who spoke about Platner's aggressive behavior in an explosive piece in the New York Times this week was Lyndsey Fifield. Khanna said that he believes her description of her relationship with Platner.  Fifield described several instances of physical intimidation she experienced with Platner during their 'two-year, on-again, off-again relationship.'  Despite insisting that he 'never hit me, he never punched me,' Fifield said that Platner could become aggressive, particularly when alcohol was involved.  She told The Times he would regularly grab her by the shoulders — sometimes leaving marks — and once pulled her from a taxi by her wrist during an argument. Fifield also recalled an incident in which he twisted her arm behind her back, pushed her into a bedroom, and held the door shut, telling her to stay there until she was 'calm.'  Reflecting on the encounter, Fifield said, 'It hurt,' but also told the Times, 'It didn't cause an injury, it didn't break my arm.'  Vermont's Bernie Sanders and Massachusetts' Elizabeth Warren are still backing Platner, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told reporters on Tuesday that he met with Platner, adding, 'we're going to beat Susan Collins and take back the Senate.' But some Democrats have soured on him. Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman told CNN: 'What kind of a creep has been on a platform like Kik, sending a dozen explicit messages - and who knows what else.' House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, however, said that Platner has to answer for himself, noting on Fox News' The Sunday Briefing, 'I haven't followed these allegations closely, but what I have said is that violence against women in any way, shape or form is unacceptable.' 'It's a red line, and nobody should cross that,' Jeffries added, noting that 'Any accuser who comes forward has to be treated with dignity and respect.' Platner is up on Tuesday against fellow Democrat Janet Mills, Maine's governor, who suspended her campaigning but remains on the ballot. The winner of the contest, likely to be Platner, will face off against incumbent Republican Susan Collins.  Collins, the only Republican in the race, holds an independent streak that makes her both loved and feared.  She also represents an endangered species: a Republican who represents a state traditionally carried by the Democratic presidential nominee. In a new poll by Public Policy Polling shared by the Platners campaign this week, he led incumbent Republican Collins, 49 percent to 45 percent.  Just two weeks ago, a poll from Platner's team had him up 48 to 41 percent over incumbent Collins; an April poll showed him leading 51 to 45. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. 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