THE APEX TIMES
Rep. Ro Khanna says he "should've listened" after backing former Maine Senate candidate accused of sexual assault
The California Democrat acknowledged he endorsed Graham Platner’s campaign and attended a rally with him last month, then said he should have listened to his wife’s advice about the allegations that have surfaced around Platner.
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) said he “should’ve listened to my wife” regarding Graham Platner, the former Maine Senate candidate who has been accused of sexual assault, after Khanna previously backed Platner and appeared publicly with him during the campaign period, according to a report published Monday by The Hill.
Khanna’s comments were made in the context of questions about his earlier support for Platner. The Hill reports that Khanna had endorsed Platner’s campaign while it was underway and that he attended a rally alongside Platner as recently as last month.
In the report, Khanna characterized his decision-making after learning more about the controversy as something he would do differently. He said the endorsement was an error and referenced his wife’s guidance as something he believes he should have followed before moving forward.
The Hill also noted that Khanna has previously been associated with progressive politics, and that his endorsement reflected his role during Platner’s candidacy. The report did not cite a congressional action, vote, or formal investigation connected to Khanna’s remarks.
The allegations concerning Platner are central to the renewed scrutiny of Khanna’s earlier support. The Hill’s account frames the renewed attention as stemming from how public endorsements can be perceived when serious allegations emerge or become widely discussed after a candidate has been backed.
Khanna’s acknowledgment does not, in the coverage, describe any immediate procedural changes or consequences within Congress tied to the episode. Instead, the dispute is focused on the political and reputational record of the endorsement, the public events Khanna attended, and what Khanna described as his later realization about the situation. The next developments will depend on whether additional details emerge in connection with the allegations and on how other political figures respond to their own prior support.
Why It Matters
- Public endorsements can carry reputational stakes for lawmakers when serious allegations later come into public focus.
- Khanna’s remarks highlight how quickly political figures may need to reassess prior support after controversies develop.
- The episode centers on timing, including Khanna’s attendance at an event with Platner last month, and the subsequent shift in his stated view.
- The situation may influence how voters evaluate due diligence and vetting practices around candidate support.
Key Facts
- Rep. Ro Khanna said he “should’ve listened to my wife” regarding Graham Platner, a former Maine Senate candidate accused of sexual assault.
- Khanna previously backed Platner’s campaign while it was underway.
- The Hill reports Khanna attended a rally alongside Platner as recently as last month.
- Khanna described his earlier endorsement as something he would not have done, according to The Hill’s account.